Purulent and Non-Purulent Maxillary Sinus Secretions With Respect to pO₂, pCO₂ and pH

Abstract

Antral secretions from patients with maxillary sinusitis were aspirated for determination of pO₂, pCO₂ and pH. In 14 non-purulent secretions the mean pO₂ was 12.7 kPa (96 mraHg) and the mean pCO₂ 5.2 kPa (39 mmHg). The mean pH was slightly alkaline. In 18 purulent secretions, usually with a heavy growth of pneumococci or H. influenzae, the pO₂ was zero or close to zero and the mean pCO₂≥10.1 kPa (≥76 mmHg). The mean pH was slightly acid and significantly lower than in the non-purulent secretions. The gas composition and the pH in purulent secretions do not only influence the metabolic activity and multiplication of bacteria, but may also interfere with the local protective functions of the sinus mucosa and with the bactericidal function of granulocytes.