Correlation between nasal obstruction symptoms and objective parameters of acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry

Acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry have been used to assess nasal airway patency objectively. We compared nasal obstruction symptoms before and after decongestion with several parameters of these objective tests. The patients assessed their nasal obstruction using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Cross-sectional areas and nasal resistance were measured by acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry before and after topical application of 1% phenylephrine solution in 32 patients with nasal obstruction symptoms. There was no significant correlation between the difference in the VAS and the difference in nasal resistance. There was also no significant correlation between the difference in the VAS and minimal cross-sectional area and cross-sectional areas at 3.3 cm (CA3.3), CA4.0 and CA6.4 from the nosepiece both in the wide and narrow sides and in both nasal cavities before and after nasal decongestion. It is concluded that rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry may have no diagnostic value in estimating the severity of nasal obstruction symptoms.     

Bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of the inferior turbinates: evaluation of short-term efficacy in a prospective, randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial

The objective of the study was to assess the short-term efficacy of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR) of the inferior turbinates in patients with nasal obstruction caused by turbinate hypertrophy. The study is a prospective, randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. A total of 22 patients (age range 21–72 years; median age 41 years) were randomized into two treatment arms. Using a bipolar radiofrequency system, the first group (VP-group) received RFVTR (verum = V) first (at t1) followed by a placebo treatment (P) 6–8 weeks later (at t2). The PV-group was treated with placebo first at t1 and received RFVTR at t2. Subjects in both groups underwent identical procedures in an office-based setting. Delivery of radiofrequency energy was the only difference between the two groups. The outcome measures assessed were rhinomanometry, physician’s evaluation of the degree of hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates and patients’ estimation of nasal obstruction. Physician and patient evaluations were documented using a score ranging from 0 = none to 4 = severe. Evaluation was performed 6–8 weeks after every intervention. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy improved significantly in both groups after RFVTR was performed (VP-group: p < 0.001; PV-group: p = 0.002). Nasal obstruction also decreased only after RFVTR (VP-group: p = 0.004, PV-group: p = 0.002). This study confirmed the safety of bipolar RFVTR as an office-based treatment of nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy. We could prove that RFVTR is superior to placebo for reduction in turbinate hypertrophy and subjective improvement in nasal obstruction. To our knowledge, this is the first level I study proving the short-term efficacy of a bipolar radiofrequency system. Level of evidence 1b.     

Acoustic rhinometry: values from adults with subjective normal nasal patency.

The nose with normal feeling of nasal patency, and no gross structural changes has been described in 82 individuals by acoustic rhinometry. Curves for one and both sides of the nasal cavity and before and after decongestion have been recorded. We have found that the minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) is located anteriorly in the nasal cavity; in some subjects it is localized at the head of the inferior turbinate and in other subjects more anteriorly at the nasal valve. After decongestion MCA moves even more anteriorly. Beyond the MCA the dimension of the nasal cavity increases, with maximal effect of decongestion at 4 cm from nostrils. Decongestion increases the total volume of the nasal cavity by 35%.     

Comparison of microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty and submucosal resection for children with hypertrophic inferior turbinates

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty (MAIT) with submucosal resection (SR) for children with hypertrophic inferior turbinates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty children with chronic nasal obstruction due to hypertrophic inferior turbinates were enrolled. These children were randomly assigned to receive SR of the inferior turbinate (n=60) or MAIT (n=60). Ten children who did not appear to display any nasal discomfort served as normal controls. Surgical-outcome was evaluated with respect to four distinct parameters: nasal endoscopy, subjective assessment of nasal symptoms by the patient using a visual analogue scale, anterior rhinomanometry, and saccharin test. These evaluations were conducted before surgery and at 1 week, 1 and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: In the SR group, turbinate edema was decreased significantly at 1 and 3 months after surgery (p<0.05). Nasal secretions and crusting were increased significantly (p<0.05) in the SR group at 1 week after surgery and then decreased significantly at 1 and 3 months after surgery. In the MAIT group, turbinate edema and nasal secretions were decreased significantly at 1 and 3 months after surgery (p<0.05). Nasal crusting was not observed after surgery. Subjective complaints including nasal obstruction, sneezing, rhinorrhea and hyposmia were significantly improved in both groups from 1 month after surgery (p<0.05). Rhinomanometric assessment did not reveal significant improvement until 3 months after surgery in both groups. Saccharin transit time was significantly increased (p<0.05) compared to baseline at 1 week after surgery in the SR group but was not significantly different in the MAIT group. CONCLUSION: MAIT and SR are both effective at relieving nasal obstruction due to the presence of hypertrophic inferior turbinates. MAIT is superior to SR with regard to preserving the nasal mucosa.     

Submucosal bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation of inferior turbinates: a long-term follow-up with subjective and objective assessment

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and morbidity of bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation of the inferior turbinates in patients with nasal obstruction caused by turbinate hypertrophy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized study and outpatient treatment. METHODS: Twenty patients (age range, 23-77 y; median age, 52 y) enrolled in the study. There was one dropout. All the patients had nasal blockage despite medical treatment. Bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation was delivered to inferior turbinates at 100 kHz with a voltage root mean square value of 168 to 182. The preoperative and postoperative nasal functions were investigated by immediate and long-term visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of symptom parameters, olfactory thresholds, saccharine transit time, rhinomanometry, and acoustic rhinometry. The follow-up was conducted at 1 week and 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: The VAS scores of subjective complaints (nasal discharge, itching, sneezing, crusting) decreased, and the VAS scores of evaluation of the effectiveness (frequency of nasal obstruction, degree of nasal obstruction, and patient satisfaction) increased statistically significantly in the 12-month follow-up without relapses. There were no adverse effects on nasal epithelial clearance time and olfactory functions. In rhinomanometry the changes in total nasal resistance and response to the vasoconstrictor agent were not statistically significant. In acoustic rhinometry the change in the sum of both nasal cavity volumes from nostril to 5 cm was statistically significant 6 and 12 months after the treatments. The difference between the preoperative and postoperative vasoconstrictive effect was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation of inferior turbinates is a promising alternative, which should be considered when planning inferior turbinate interventions.     

Argon plasma surgery for treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy: a long-term follow-up in 157 patients

Chronic nasal obstruction is a common disorder, mostly caused by hypertrophic inferior turbinates. In cases of nonresponse to conservative medical management, the surgical reduction of the inferior turbinates is often required. Surgical techniques for the reduction of hyperplastic nasal turbinates include monopolar or bipolar coagulation, partial or total reduction of the turbinates with a conchotome or scissors and laser surgery with Nd:YAG, CO(2) or KTP. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a new, innovative technique in otorhinolaryngology which is based on high-frequency electrocoagulation with an argon gas source. The fast and short surgery times, the absence of hemorrhagic complications and, in rhinosurgery, the complete abstention from any kind of nasal packing are remarkable. Between March and November 2000, a group of 157 patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction due to hypertrophic inferior turbinates were treated using APC, at the Otorhinolaryngology Surgery Department of the Hospital of Dolo (Venice). The follow-up period was 24 months. Rhinomanometry was performed to objectively measure the nasal obstruction and to verify the postoperative improvement. The Student t test was used for statistical data. After 24 months, 87% (p < 0.001) of the patients reported to have a better nasal airflow than before the operation. None of the patients needed a nasal packing after APC surgery. The indication, advantages, complications, controversies and long-term results of the treatment with APC in rhinosurgery are reviewed and discussed.     

Modified Method of Acoustic Rhinometry

Acoustic rhinometry is a well-known method for evaluating nasal cavity patency using sound waves. The method produces graphical information on cross-sectional areas, the distances between these areas and the nostril and the nasal volume. We used this method to evaluate 40 children aged between 7 and 13 years old with complaints of nasal obstruction. All patients underwent endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity, and only children presenting with hypertrophic inferior nasal turbinates and with no history or clinical evidence of infectious rhinitis were included in the study. Using a modified method we obtained four distinct and constant cross-sectional areas along the nasal cavity and four corresponding distances from these areas to the nostril.     

Modified method of acoustic rhinometry

Acoustic rhinometry is a well-known method for evaluating nasal cavity patency using sound waves. The method produces graphical information on cross-sectional areas, the distances between these areas and the nostril and the nasal volume. We used this method to evaluate 40 children aged between 7 and 13 years old with complaints of nasal obstruction. All patients underwent endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity, and only children presenting with hypertrophic inferior nasal turbinates and with no history or clinical evidence of infectious rhinitis were included in the study. Using a modified method we obtained four distinct and constant cross-sectional areas along the nasal cavity and four corresponding distances from these areas to the nostril.     

Radiofrequency for inferior turbinate hypertrophy: could its long-term effect be predicted with a preoperative topical vasoconstrictor drop test?

BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to evaluate whether postoperative improvement by radiofrequency (RF) volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR) correlated with a preoperative topical vasoconstrictor drop test (TVDT) in subjects with chronic nasal obstruction secondary to inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH). METHODS: This study was a prospective and unblinded clinical trial. We included 22 subjects suffering from chronic nasal obstruction secondary to ITH. TVDT was performed on all subjects before the operation, and RF energy was delivered to three different sites of each turbinate. Nasal obstruction was evaluated by visual analog score (VAS) preoperatively, after TVDT, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24t weeks after surgery. Success rates of RFVTR and gain ratios of RFVTR and TVDT were calculated. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in success ratios by RFVTR between the 2nd and 12th weeks. Postoperative VAS values reached to VAS value achieved by TVDT at the 8th week. Correlation analysis revealed that postoperative VAS values found at the 2nd to 24th weeks correlated positively with VAS values achieved by TVDT (r = 0.47 and p < 0.03 at the 2nd week; r = 0.65 and p = 0.001 at the 24th week) but not with preoperative VAS values. Similar positive correlations also were found between gain ratios of TVDT and RFVTR from the 4th to 24th weeks. CONCLUSION: This study showed that success by RFVTR in ITH could be predicted by preoperative TVDT. Improvement by RFVTR depends on how much the patient's turbinates respond to TVDT, but not how much he/she complains of nasal obstruction.     

Diode laser treatment of hypertrophic inferior turbinates and evaluation of the results with acoustic rhinometry

Inferior turbinate hypertrophy is the most common cause of chronic nasal obstruction. When conservative medical treatment options fail in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy, reduction of the inferior turbinate can be performed using surgical techniques. Laser-assisted turbinate surgery has the advantages of limited tissue trauma and reduced bleeding. We evaluated the effectiveness and outcomes of using a diode laser (λ?=?980?nm) in turbinate reduction. Our study included 62 patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction due to hypertrophic inferior turbinates, who did not respond to medical treatment (≥1?year). Patients were treated with diode laser between January 2009 and December 2010 in our ENT (ear, nose, and throat) department. Subjective outcome of severity of nasal obstruction was assessed on a standard 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS). Acoustic rhinometry was used to measure nasal patency. The cross-sectional areas 1, 2, and 3 and the volumes between 2.5 and 5.5?cm were measured. VAS scores and acoustic rhinometry measurements were performed preoperatively and 1, 6, and 12?months after surgery. The mean follow-up was 13.1?±?1?months. The mean operation time was 3?min per turbinate; no nasal packing was necessary. We did not observe any major complications. Both subjective and objective evaluations showed significant improvement. VAS scores improved, the mean MCA2, MCA3, and V2–5 measurements increased significantly 1?year after surgery. In the first year after surgery, 53 of 62 (85.4%) patients reported marked improvements in nasal breathing. Our results showed that, objectively and subjectively, the success rates in diode laser-assisted turbinate reduction were satisfactory. The diode laser, being one of the most portable and least expensive of the lasers available for turbinate surgery, makes it possible for turbinate reduction to be performed under topical anesthesia within a short period of time with excellent patient acceptance.     

Microdebrider-assisted versus laser-assisted turbinate reduction: comparison of improvement in nasal airway according to type of turbinate hypertrophy

A case-control study was conducted at our secondary referral hospital to compare the efficacy of microdebrider-assisted turbinate reduction (MATR) with laser-assisted turbinate reduction (LATR) and to evaluate their efficacy according to types of hypertrophic inferior turbinates. All patients who underwent only inferior turbinate surgery for refractory nasal obstruction were included. The required minimum follow-up period was 3 months postoperatively. Thirty-seven patients were enrolled in this study-22 in the MATR group and 15 in the LATR group. The patients were subclassified into mucosal (n = 14) and bone (n = 23) hypertrophy groups. Subjective (visual analogue scale) and objective (endoscopic score) assessments were performed prior to surgery and 3 months after surgery. Generally, the visual analogue scale and endoscopic score were significantly improved after surgery, in both the MATR and the LATR groups. In the MATR group, the visual analogue scale and endoscopic score improved regardless of type of hypertrophy. However, in the LATR group, these measurements improved only in cases with mucosal hypertrophy. We conclude that both MATR and LATR are good surgical techniques in patients with chronic hypertrophic inferior turbinates who have substantial nasal obstruction. However, MATR is superior to LATR, especially in cases with bone hypertrophy.     

Comparison of ultrasound turbinate reduction, radiofrequency tissue ablation and submucosal cauterization in inferior turbinate hypertrophy

Chronic nasal obstruction owed to chronic hypertrophic rhinitis is a common cause of nasal airway obstruction. In cases unresponsive to conservative treatment, various surgical techniques are commonly performed, but the issue of the optimal surgical procedure is still controversial. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound treatment of the hypertrophied inferior turbinates, which is a technique recently applied in rhinologic surgery. We aimed, also, to compare this method with the radiofrequency cold coblation turbinate reduction and the traditional submucosal monopolar inferior turbinate cauterization. We studied prospectively 60 patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis of nonallergic etiology, who underwent different surgical methods of turbinate reduction, divided into two groups: (1) in 30 patients, inferior turbinate volume reduction using ultrasound procedure on the left side and monopolar diathermy on the right was performed; (2) in 30 patients, radiofrequency coblation technique on the left side and ultrasound turbinate reduction on the right side was undertaken. Subjective evaluation of nasal obstruction and pain was performed using visual analog scales and objective evaluation of the surgical outcome was obtained using active anterior rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry. Examinations were performed preoperatively, and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Both subjective and objective evaluation showed significant postoperative improvement in all cases. The best results were obtained with the ultrasound procedure, and second with the radiofrequency technique. The least improvement was observed in the electrocautery group, although its results did not differ significantly from the radiofrequency group. It may be, thus, concluded that ultrasound turbinate reduction is an effective and safe procedure for the management of chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, in patients failing to respond to medical treatment. Using this method, better results were obtained in decreasing subjective symptoms and nasal obstruction, in comparison with radiofrequency and electrocautery.     

Surgical treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy with argon plasma: a long-term follow-up in 157 patients

Surgical treatment of the inferior turbinate in patients with chronic hypertrophic rhinitis that does not respond to medical treatment is a well established procedure. CO2 laser, YAG laser, KTP laser, conventional electrocautery, cryotherapy, chemosurgery and turbinectomy or submucosal turbinectomy have been performed for the removal of nasal obstruction. Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) is a new, innovative technique in Otorhinolaryngology which is based on high-frequency electrocoagulation with an argon-gas source. The shorter surgical times, the absence of hemorrhagic complications and, in rhinosurgery, not requiring any kind of nasal packing are remarkable. Between March and November 2000, a group of 157 patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction due to hypertrophic inferior turbinates were treated using APC, at the Otorhinolaryngology Surgical Department of the Hospital of Dolo (Venice). The follow-up period was 24 months. Rhinomanometry was performed to objectively measure the nasal obstruction and to verify the postoperative improvement. The Student t-test was used for statistical data. After 24 months, 87% (p < 0.001) of patients reported to have a better nasal airflow than before the operation. None of the patients needed a nasal packing after APC surgery. We review and discus the indication, advantages, complications, controversies and long-term results of the treatment with APC in rhinosurgery.     

等离子射频消融术在鼻腔手术中的联合应用

目的:探讨在鼻腔手术中联合应用等离子射频消融术治疗下鼻甲肥大及变应性鼻炎的疗效。方法:91例伴下鼻甲肥大及变应性鼻炎的鼻中隔偏曲或鼻息肉患者,行鼻中隔成形术或鼻内镜下鼻息肉摘除加筛窦开放术后,其中62例行等离子射频消融术(消融组),29例未行等离子射频消融术(对照组)。术前及术后3个月应用视觉模拟评分表(VAS)评价鼻塞的主观感觉。根据1997年海口会议疗效评定标准判断变应性鼻炎的疗效。结果:消融组术前鼻塞VAS评分左、右侧分别为(89.5±8.7)%和(90.3±10.5)%,术后3个月分别为(26.2±8.7)%和(32.1±10.3)%,左、右侧分别与术前比较,差异有统计学意义(均P<0.01);32例变应性鼻炎患者,显效31例(96.9%),有效1例(3.1%)。对照组术前鼻塞VAS评分左、右侧分别为(90.5±8.0)%和(89.9±11.5)%,术后3个月分别为(39.2±8.9)和(48.1±8.1)%,左、右侧分别与术前比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.01);16例变应性鼻炎患者,显效4例(25.0%),有效10例(62.5%),无效2例(12.5%)。两组术后VAS评分差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:在鼻腔手术中联合应用等离子射频消融术治疗下鼻甲肥大及变应性鼻炎安全、有效。     

Turbinate hypertrophy in habitual snorers and patients with obstructive sleep apnea: Findings of acoustic rhinometry

Forty-five habitual snorers (mean respiratory disturbance index = 6) and 22 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (mean respiratory disturbance index = 36) were examined by polysom-nography, radiocephalometry, rhinomanometry, na-sopharyngeal videoendoscopy, and acoustic rhinometry. In 97% of these patients, hypertrophy of the inferior nasal turbinates was found by acoustic rhinometry, while increased nasal resistance of various degrees was measured in 93% of all patients by active anterior rhinomanometry. Acoustic rhinometry demonstrated that the most resistive segment was located in the anterior parts of the nasal cavity and was built up by two compartments: the region of the isthmus nasi and the region of the head of the inferior turbinate. In our snoring patients, the cross-sectional areas at the head of the inferior turbinate were always smaller than the cross-sectional areas in the isthmus nasi, which in normal controls presented the minimal cross-sectional values of the whole nasal cavity. While rhinomanometry can only measure the amount of nasal resistance, acoustic rhinometry can clearly determine the exact size and location of the different stenoses in the nasal cavity that contribute to the increased nasal resistance.     

结构性鼻炎患者鼻通气功能的主客观评估

目的对结构性鼻炎患者进行术前鼻通气的主客观评估,为手术提供临床依据。方法结构性鼻炎患者56例,收缩鼻腔前后分别进行鼻堵视觉模拟量表(visualanalogue scale,VAS)评分并分为两组:组1,30例,VAS评分>7;组2,26例,VAS评分<7。组3,正常对照组,24例,VAS评分=0。3组分别进行鼻声反射和鼻阻力测量。记录两侧鼻腔前2个最小截面积(minimum cross-sectional area of nasal cavity,MCA1)、MCA2及其距离前鼻孔距离(the distance between the nostril to minimumcross-sectional area,MD1)、MD2,并分别记算两侧的比值;测量距离前鼻孔5 cm、2～5 cm、5～7 cm的两侧鼻腔容积(nasal volume,V5)、V2-5、V5-7并分别记算两侧的比值;测量双侧鼻腔总阻力(nasal resistance total,RT),计算双侧鼻腔阻力差异比(Rlr)。取收缩鼻腔后数值进行统计学检验。结果 3组MCA1、MD1、MCA2、MD2和RT值均无统计学差异;3组间各比值,除MD1、V5-7差异无统计学意义外,其余比值差异均存在统计学意义;组1测量结果较组2或组3有明显差异,结构异常也更加明显。结论鼻堵严重程度与两侧鼻腔结构异常程度有一定关联;鼻堵VAS评分、鼻声反射和鼻阻力测量应作为结构性鼻炎术前评估的常规手段。     

Nasal obstruction following septorhinoplasty: how well does acoustic rhinometry work?

Septorhinoplasty aims to improve not only the esthetic appearance but also breathing function of the nose. Although the esthetic improvement can be judged by the patient and the surgeon easily, evaluation of nasal breathing is more complicated. Besides the subjective symptom scores given by the patient, some objective methods have been developed. One of the most widely used of these objective methods is acoustic rhinometry, which gives valuable information about the cross-sectional areas and volumes of the nasal airway as a function of distance from the nostril. Since the introduction of acoustic rhinometry, many papers were reported regarding its efficiency with some conflicting conclusions. Septorhinoplasty has the potential to narrow the nasal airway, especially if it includes lateral osteotomies and hump reduction. We aimed to evaluate the role of rhinoplasty on nasal obstruction with the help of subjective symptom scores and acoustic rhinometry. The study consisted of 26 patients who underwent septorhinoplasty. Before and after surgery, the symptom scores and findings of acoustic rhinometry were collected both before and after decongestion of the nasal mucosa. Symptom scores decreased on both sides, which were statistically significant (p < 0.05), however, the changes in cross-sectional areas of the nasal airway were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The correlation between the symptom scores and acoustic rhinometry findings was not significant for all levels. The effect of septorhinoplasty on nasal airway and some important maneuvers to protect against nasal obstruction are discussed.     

Acoustic rhinometry: evaluation of the nasal cavity with septal deviations, before and after septoplasty

We introduce acoustic rhinometry as a new, objective method to assess the geometry of the nasal cavity. The cross-sectional area of the nasal cavity as a function of distance from the nostrils was obtained. A group of 21 patients with septal deformities was examined with acoustic rhinometry preoperatively and postoperatively. These values were compared with those of 21 normal control subjects. The minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) is located in the anterior part of the nose, and it shifts anteriorly under the effect of decongestion. The preoperative value of MCA is related to the location and severity of the anterior septal deformity. Postoperative smaller MCA found in the opposite side of that narrowed by a severe anterior septal deformity may be explained by the impact of septoplasty without reduction of a hypertrophic turbinate. A highly significant relation between MCA and the subjective feeling of nasal patency, before and after surgery, suggests that MCA is a valuable parameter to express nasal patency. Correction of posterior septal deformities is found to increase significantly the cross-sectional area posteriorly. The effect of decongestion in the postoperative values, however, suggests that the mucosa contributes even more to the cross-sectional area of the posterior part of the nose. Acoustic rhinometry seems very suitable for evaluation of the nasal cavity in cases where septoplasty and turbinoplasty is considered, as well as for the postoperative evaluation.     

Patients with positive allergen test have less favorable outcome after endoscopic microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty is a newly developed surgical technique to treat patients with nasal obstruction. Although the procedure has been reported to be safe and effective, we tested the hypothesis that the prognosis might deteriorate with time in allergic rhinitis patients as identified by a positive allergen test in patients who have a persistent regional inflammation of the nose. We assessed the degree of nasal obstruction in a prospective cohort to investigate whether positive allergen test predicts outcome. METHODS: In 70 consecutive patients, the symptom of nasal obstruction was evaluated subjectively by a visual analog scale (VAS) and objectively by acoustic rhinometry using cross-sectional area of the second notch (CSA-2) and nasal cavity volume before operation, and 3 months, 12 months after operation, respectively. Then, patients were classified and compared according to the multiple-antigen simultaneous test (MAST). RESULTS: Both MAST(+) and MAST(-) groups showed statistically significant improvement in VAS score, CSA-2, and nasal cavity volume at 12 months after operation (p < 0.01). Of note, MAST(+) patients showed less favorable results than MAST(-) patients at 12 months after operation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty provides effective relief for patients with nasal obstruction. However, such turbinate surgery may be successful only for a short period of time in patients with allergic rhinitis. Our finding suggests that, in selecting appropriate candidates, surgeons should consider criteria other than symptomatology, especially in patients with allergic rhinitis who may have manifestations other than at the level of the inferior turbinate contributing to nasal blockage.     

鼻阻塞的主观评价与客观鼻测量的相关性研究

目的 探讨鼻阻塞时检查者和患者的主观评价与客观鼻测量之间是否有相关性.方法 检查者和患者均采用视觉模拟量表(visual analog scale,VAS)对鼻阻塞程度进行评价.客观鼻测量采用主动后鼻测压仪和鼻声反射测量仪进行.以配对t检验分析检查者的临床评价和患者VAS均数的差异,以Spearman等级相关分析评价客观鼻测量结果单侧鼻气流阻力与单侧鼻道容积、单侧鼻腔最小横截面积的关系,以及检查者的临床评价、患者VAS与上述客观鼻测最结果的相关性.结果 本组病例经统计学分析,316例患者中,减充血前后单侧鼻气流阻力与单侧鼻道容积、单侧鼻腔最小横截面积间呈负相关(r值分别为-0.430、-0.554、-0.373、-0.600,P值均＜0.001).减充血前后,检查者的临床评价与患者VAS均数呈正相关,差异均有统计学意义(r值分别为0.630、0.526,P值均＜0.001),二者均与鼻气流阻力有一定的正相关关系(减充血前:检查者的临床评价与鼻气流阻力r=0.530,P=0.000,患者VAS与鼻气流阻力r=0.351,P=0.000;减充血后:检查者的临床评价与鼻气流阻力r=0.452,P=0.000,患者VAS与鼻气流阻力r=0.216,P=0.000),与鼻道容积和鼻腔最小横截面积均有一定的负相关关系(减充血前:检查者的临床评价与鼻道容积r=-0.411,P=0.000,患者VAS与鼻道容积r=-0.325,P=0.000,检查者的临床评价与鼻腔最小横截面积r=-0.507,P=0.000,患者VAS与鼻腔最小横截面积r=-0.384,P=0.000;减充血后:检查者的临床评价与鼻道容积r=-0.391,P=0.000,患者VAS与鼻道容积r=-0.209,P=0.000,检查者的临床评价与鼻腔最小横截面积r=-0.471,P=0.000,患者VAS与鼻腔最小横截面积r=-0.286,P=0.000).检查者的临床评价与客观鼻测量参数的相关系数大于患者VAS与客观鼻测最参数的相关系数.结论 鼻阻力测压与鼻声反射测量的结果有一定的相关性.检查者的临床评价与患者VAS存在一定的正相关关系.两者均与客观鼻测量参数存在一定的直线相关关系.