Clinical Application of Spectrophotometry and Laser Doppler Flowmetry in Otolaryngology

Abstract

An investigation of microcirculation in the ear, nose and throat was performed.
Hemoglobin concentration which indicates blood volume in tissue was m easured with a spectrophotometric analyzer. Blood flow was measured with a laser Doppler flowmeter and a laser speckle flowmeter.
Normal ran g es of hemoglobin concentration and/or blood flow in the ear drum, the inferior turbinate, epipharynx, mesopharynx, soft palate, vocal fold, ventricular fold and the arytenoid region were studied. It was useful for differential diagnosis of pathologic conditions to compare these with normal ranges.
The continuous measurement of hemoglobin concentration and/or blood flow in the nasal mucosa and the finger tip in humans was performed. Continuous measurement of hemoglobin concentration and blood flow in the middle ear and the laryngeal mucosa of guinea pigs was performed. The effects of drugs on the autonomic nervous system and the microcirculation were subjectively analyzed.