The surfactant system of the nose was examined biochemically in control cases and compared to cases of
primary atrophic rhinitis. The study group included 25 cases with primary atrophic rhinitis compared to 10
normal volunteers. Biochemical analysis of the nasal aspirate in these cases revealed the presence of
phospholipids constituting surfactant with phosphatidylcholine constituting 75.35 per cent of the total
phospholipids. Biochemical analysis of the nasal aspirate in cases with primary atrophic rhinitis revealed a
signicant decrease in the total phospholipids compared to normal cases and also a signicant change in
the phospholipid prole. Thus signicant biochemical changes in the surfactant system of the nose is an
evident and early nding in cases of primary atrophic rhinitis. This suggests a possible role for surfactant
deciency in the aetiopathogenesis of cases of primary atrophic rhinitis.