Bronchial Mucosal Findings and Chemical Properties of Bronchial Secretions from Patients with Airway Burn

Abstract

We attempted to determine whether the chemical properties of the bronchial secretions of patients with airway burns can indicate the degree of airway injury by comparing results of analysis with wall mucosal redness and swelling as seen on bronchofiberscopy. We examined the bronchoscopic findings of 18 cases of airway burn and scored the degree of redness and swelling of bronchial mucosa for seven days after the injury. We also collected bronchial secretions before the bronchofiberscopy procedure for analysis of albumin, fucose, sialic acid, IgA, lysozyme, total phospholipid and phosphatidylcholine. The total score, which reflected the degree of redness and swelling of the mucosa, correlated positively with the sialic acid/fucose ratio (r=0.42, p<0.005), and total phospholipid (r=0.35, p<0.02). A positive correlation was also observed between the total score and albumin concentration from the second day on (r=0.33, p<0.04). It is suggested that the degree of airway injury is indicated by the ratio of sputum extravascular transudate component to mucus component, and the sialic acid/fucose ratio.