Real-time visualization of ciliary motion on the bronchial surface

The ability to monitor ciliary motion in vivo would help us to understand the physiological role of ciliary motion and would also be useful for the diagnosis of various disorders of the bronchi. The aim of this study was to clarify what conditions are most efficacious for the observation of ciliary motion in vivo. Lighting conditions of various combinations of the angle of the light guide fiber and objective stage were examined through a stereoscopic zoom microscope. Subsequently, a prototype bronchovideoscope that can magnify objects approximately 100 times with optimal lighting conditions similar to those found to be most efficacious was developed. The ciliary motion was visualized in the halation on the bronchial surface at magnification of 100 or more. This motion was recognized as many fine light flickers at a magnification of 100 and was recognized as many beating whips at a magnification of 500. The optimal angle of incidence to bronchial surface was found to be at 25° to 40°. Through a videoscope, many light flickers were clearly recognized on surgical specimens. Real-time observation of ciliary motion in vivo was also achieved through a flexible bronchovideoscope. This new technique holds great promise for understanding and diagnosing of the tracheobronchial disorders.