Acoustic rhinometric evaluation of the nasal response to exercise in patients with nasal septal deviation

We aimed to investigate nasal response to exercise in patients with a nasal septal deviation. Acoustic rhinometric measurements of cross-sectional areas (CSA) at 3.3, 4.0, 6.4 cm from the nostril, and nasal volume (NV) were conducted in 10 patients. The consecutive measurements were undertaken just before and immediately after 10, 20, and 30 min of treadmill exercise. In the concave nasal cavities, NV and CSA at 3.3 cm and 6.4 cm from the nostril showed a significant increase in immediate post-exercise and 10-minute post-exercise measurements. At 4.0 cm from the nostril, a significant increase was sustained by 20 min after exercise. However, in convex nasal cavities, exercise did not result in a significant increase except for the immediate post-exercise measurement at 4 cm from the nostril. The results of this study indicated that, in nasal septal deviation, the mucosal response is more prominent in the concave nasal cavities than in the convex nasal cavities.     

Effects of the Cottle's maneuver on the nasal valve as assessed by acoustic rhinometry

BACKGROUND: The nasal valve is the narrowest segment of the nasal cavity and plays an essential role in breathing. There has been plenty of discussion in the literature concerning the location and function of the nasal valve. The Cottle's maneuver (CM) is a test in which the cheek on the side to be evaluated is gently pulled laterally with one to two fingers to open the valve. This test is used to determine if the most significant site of nasal obstruction is at the valve or farther inside the nasal cavity. The aim of this study was to determine the dimensional changes caused by the CM in the nose as measured by acoustic rhinometry (AR). METHODS: Eight adult volunteers with no nasal symptoms were recruited and their nasal cavities were measured by AR. The measurements were done with and without the CM both before and after decongestion with a mixture of 1:1000 epinephrine and 4% lidocaine in cotton pledgets. The MCA1 and MCA2 and their distances from the nostril, as well as the volume-measured from the zero point to the MCA2 point--were determined. RESULTS: The main effect of the CM was a mean increase in MCA1 by 33% (p = 0.001) and 44% (p < 0.001) before and after decongestion, respectively. The distance of MCA1 increased significantly, because of the CM, by 12% (p = 0.006) before and 7% (p = 0.008) after decongestion. The percentage increases in volume were 33% (p = 0.001) and 44% (p < 0.001), respectively. Decongestion of the nasal mucosa induced a statistically significant (p = 0.001) increase in both MCA1 (by 21%) and MCA2 (by 28%). CONCLUSION: The CM significantly increased MCA1 in AR, and the increase was more evident after decongestion of the nasal mucosa. The changes in MCA2 were nonsignificant. We conclude that the value of the CM in investigating a possible valve insufficiency may be greater if the nose is studied both before and after decongestion of the nasal mucosa.     

Role of the External Nasal Dilator in the Management of Nasal Obstruction

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of an external nasal dilator in patients with nasal obstruction secondary to mucosal congestion (n = 33) or to septal deviation in the nasal valve area (n = 28). A group of subjects with healthy nasal cavities was tested also (n = 51). Acoustic rhinometric and rhinomanometric nasal measurements were performed with and without the dilator and before and after topical decongestion of the nasal mucosa. A visual analog scale was employed to evaluate the subjective sensation of nasal obstruction. Objective measurements showed that the external dilator increased the minimum cross-sectional area and decreased the nasal resistance significantly in all three groups (P < 0.01). The effect was more impressive in patients with septal deviation (P < 0.001). Subjective assessments reflected patency in all subjects except those in the mucosal swelling group (P = 0.06). From this study the authors conclude that the external nasal dilator offers an effective, nonsurgical therapeutic approach in the management of septal deviation that obstructs the nasal valve area. Although patients with nasal obstruction secondary to mucosal congestion showed objective improvement with the nasal dilator, these changes were not accompanied by a sensation of enhanced patency.     

Evaluation of nasal cavity by acoustic rhinometry in Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups.

Acoustic rhinometry (AR) evaluates the geometry of the nasal cavity by measuring the minimum cross-sectional area (MCA) and nasal volume (V) by means of acoustic reflection. Understanding the normal and pathologic conditions of the internal nasal cavity using AR is important in the diagnosis of structural abnormalities in patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the normal range of AR parameters in healthy volunteers from three ethnic groups in Singapore: Chinese, Malay and Indian. We also attempted to evaluate the role of these measurements in the documentation of structural abnormalities in the nose. A total of 189 Singaporeans, aged > or = 18 years, were recruited from a nationwide survey study. They comprised 83 Chinese, 35 Malays and 71 Indians. Eighty-nine subjects had a rhinoscopically normal nose (Group 1), 77 had significant septal deviation (Group 2) and 23 had inferior turbinate hypertrophy (Group 3). AR was performed to measure the MCA at the anterior 1-5 cm from the nostril and the volume (V) between points at the nostril and 5 cm into the nose. A mean MCA (mMCA; equal to (L + R)/2) and a total volume (Vt; equal to L + R) were then calculated for each subject, where L and R refer to the measurements made for the left and right nostrils, respectively. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in mMCA (p = 0.80) and Vt (p = 0.60) among the three ethnic subgroups of Group 1. Statistically significant differences were found only between Groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.001 for both mMCA and Vt) and between Groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.001 for mMCA and p = 0.013 for Vt). Although there was no significant difference between Groups 1 and 2, significant differences in MCA (p = 0.001) and V (p = 0.040) were found between the narrower sides (smaller volume) and the wider sides in Group 2, indicating volume compensation between the nasal cavities. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that there is no significant difference in the normal range of AR measurements among Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups. AR is able to determine the structural abnormality of the internal nasal cavity caused by septal deviation and inferior turbinate hypertrophy.     

Evaluation of Nasal Cavity by Acoustic Rhinometry in Chinese,Malay and Indian Ethnic Groups

Acoustic rhinometry (AR) evaluates the geometry of the nasal cavity by measuring the minimum cross-sectional area (MCA) and nasal volume (V) by means of acoustic reflection. Understanding the normal and pathologic conditions of the internal nasal cavity using AR is important in the diagnosis of structural abnormalities in patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the normal range of AR parameters in healthy volunteers from three ethnic groups in Singapore: Chinese, Malay and Indian. We also attempted to evaluate the role of these measurements in the documentation of structural abnormalities in the nose. A total of 189 Singaporeans, aged &#83 18 years, were recruited from a nationwide survey study. They comprised 83 Chinese, 35 Malays and 71 Indians. Eighty-nine subjects had a rhinoscopically normal nose (Group 1), 77 had significant septal deviation (Group 2) and 23 had inferior turbinate hypertrophy (Group 3). AR was performed to measure the MCA at the anterior 1-5 cm from the nostril and the volume (V) between points at the nostril and 5 cm into the nose. A mean MCA (mMCA; equal to (L + R) 2) and a total volume (V t ; equal to L + R) were then calculated for each subject, where L and R refer to the measurements made for the left and right nostrils, respectively. The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in mMCA ( p =0.80) and V t ( p = 0.60) among the three ethnic subgroups of Group 1. Statistically significant differences were found only between Groups 1 and 3 ( p < 0.001 for both mMCA and V t ) and between Groups 2 and 3 ( p = 0.001 for mMCA and p = 0.013 for V t ). Although there was no significant difference between Groups 1 and 2, significant differences in MCA ( p = 0.001) and V ( p = 0.040) were found between the narrower sides (smaller volume) and the wider sides in Group 2, indicating volume compensation between the nasal cavities. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that there is no significant difference in the normal range of AR measurements among Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnic groups. AR is able to determine the structural abnormality of the internal nasal cavity caused by septal deviation and inferior turbinate hypertrophy.     

声反射鼻测量计对婴幼儿进行鼻腔测量

目的 :研究正常婴幼儿鼻腔最小横截面积 (MCA)及其距前鼻孔的距离 (DCA)、双侧鼻腔容积 (NV)、双侧鼻咽部容积 (NPV)的正常值范围。方法 :应用声反射鼻测量计测量正常婴幼儿 175例 ,同时测量急性上呼吸道感染婴幼儿 10 8例作为对照。结果 :正常婴幼儿双侧MCA范围为 0 .2 0～ 0 .5 0cm2 ,DCA范围 1.93～ 2 .47cm ,NV范围 2 .6 9～ 4.75cm3 ,NPV范围 3.83～ 8.92cm3 ,与对照组比较 ,MCA、DCA、NV差异均有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :声反射鼻测量计可以客观地评价婴幼儿鼻气道 ,本检测可为婴幼儿鼻腔生理、病理研究 ,鼻腔疾病的辅助诊断及疗效判定提供参考依据。     

A validation study of nasal spectroscopy: Rhinolux

This study is the first to validate the Rhinolux against acoustic rhinometry in detecting nasal mucosal swelling when changing body position from sitting to supine. The Rhinolux (Rhios GmbH, Germany) is a new device using a light-absorption technique called nasal spectroscopy and to measure changes in nasal blood volume as a sign of nasal mucosal swelling in real time. The relationship between the changes in nasal blood volume measured with the Rhinolux and changes in nasal mucosal swelling has however, not previously been validated objectively. To evaluate this relationship we compared the Rhinolux to acoustic rhinometry following the change in body position from sitting to supine. The study population consisted of 20 healthy subjects (7 women, 13 men, mean age 34.7 ± 9.3 years). The Rhinolux was applied sitting in the upright position followed by 5 min in the supine position. Acoustic rhinometry was measured sitting in the upright position and after 5 min in the supine position. In seven subjects the measurements were repeated on three different days to assess the repeatability. The mean change from baseline in minimal cross sectional area ΔMCA measured with acoustic rhinometry was −0.12(±0.19) cm² (right + left side), P = 0.013 but ΔE (change in light extinction from baseline) measured with the Rhinolux was unchanged 0.02(±0.18) optical densities (OD), P = 0.56. There was no correlation between ΔE and ΔMCA r = 0.028, P = 0.9. The mean ΔE result from repeated measurements on different days was 0.05(±0.08) OD, P = 0.09 and the ΔMCA was −0.1(±0.11) cm², P = 0.02. This study showed that the changes in nasal blood volume measured with the Rhinolux did not reflect changes in nasal mucosal swelling measured with acoustic rhinometry when changing body position from sitting to supine. The results indicate that the utility of the Rhinolux in assessing nasal mucosal reactions has to be evaluated further.     

主观感觉评估与解剖结构及鼻功能测量在慢性鼻窦炎中的相关性研究

目的 探讨主观感觉测量与解剖结构及鼻功能测量在慢性鼻窦炎疾病中的相关性。方法 选择2019年9月-2020年10月在山西医科大学附属汾阳医院耳鼻咽喉科就诊的慢性鼻窦炎患者43例。分别应用视觉模拟量表评估患者鼻塞主观症状;Lund-Mackay评分和Lund-Kennedy评分系统评估鼻窦CT及鼻内镜检查结果;鼻声反射、鼻阻力测量评估鼻腔通气情况,采用SPSS 19.0软件对其相关性进行统计学分析。结果 Spearman相关性显示,慢性鼻窦炎患者鼻塞视觉模拟评分量表（VAS）评分与最小横截面积2（MCA2）、最小横截面积距离前鼻孔的距离2（MD2）、距鼻孔2~5 cm鼻腔容积（Vol2~5）呈负相关（P<0.05）,与鼻腔有效阻力、Lund-Mackay评分、Lund-Kennedy评分呈正相关（P<0.05）;Lund-Mackay评分、Lund-Kennedy评分与鼻声反射、鼻阻力呈相关性（P<0.05）。结论 主观感觉测量、解剖结构测量及鼻功能测量相联合能综合评估慢性鼻窦炎患者鼻塞病情的严重程度,有利于治疗方案的选择。     

鼻声反射应用于鼻塞患者鼻通气功能检查的评价

目的 :评估鼻声反射 (AR)在鼻塞患者鼻通气检查中的应用价值 ,并探讨其参数选择。方法 :对 36例因鼻病引起鼻塞的患者 (鼻病组 )及 2 0例无鼻病健康志愿者 (对照组 )进行AR测试 ,测算鼻腔平均截面积 (MNCA)、最小截面积 (MCA)、鼻腔容积 (NV)和鼻阻力 (NR) ,并进行统计学分析。结果 :对照组中 ,MNCA、MCA、NV、NR性别差异均无统计学意义 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,除NV(P <0 .0 5 )外侧别差异亦无统计学意义 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;鼻病组中鼻塞侧与非鼻塞侧各参数间差异无统计学意义 (P>0 .0 5 ) ;鼻病组中鼻塞侧与对照组比较 ,其中MCA和NR差异有统计学意义 (分别P <0 .0 1和P <0 .0 5 ) ;鼻病组中非鼻塞侧加对照组与鼻病组中鼻塞侧比较 ,其中MCA和NR差异有统计学意义 (分别P <0 .0 1和P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :AR对鼻通气状况有较客观的反映 ,其中MCA和NR对鼻塞状况的反映与患者的主观感受较为一致 ,可作为反映鼻通气状况的敏感指标。     

Acoustic rhinometry in healthy humans: accuracy of area estimates and ability to quantify certain anatomic structures in the nasal cavity

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the accuracy of acoustic rhinometry (AR) measurements in healthy humans and assessed the ability of AR in quantifying the dimensions of the paranasal sinuses and certain anatomic structures in the nasal cavity. METHODS: Twenty nasal passages of 10 healthy adults were examined by AR and computed tomography (CT) before and after decongestion. Actual cross-sectional areas of the nasal cavity and actual locations of the nasal valve, the head of the inferior turbinate, the head of the middle turbinate, the ostia of the frontal and maxillary sinuses, and the choana were determined from CT sections perpendicular to the curved acoustic axis of the nasal passage. RESULTS: The AR-measured cross-sectional areas in the anterior nasal cavity were in reasonable agreement with the corresponding areas determined from CT, whereas AR consistently overestimated the passage areas at locations posterior to the paranasal sinus ostia. The nasal valve was identified as a pronounced minimum on the AR area-distance curve. However, AR did not discretely identify the head of the inferior turbinate, the head of the middle turbinate, or the choana. CONCLUSIONS: The local minima on the AR area-distance curve beyond the nasal valve are caused by acoustic resonances in the nasal cavity, and do not correspond to any anatomic structure. The AR area overestimation beyond the paranasal sinus ostia is due to the interaction between the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses, rather than to sound loss into the sinuses. Acoustic rhinometry provides no quantitative information on ostium size or sinus volume in either non-decongested or decongested nasal cavities.     

Reference values for acoustic rhinometry in decongested school children and adults: the most sensitive measurement for change in nasal patency

INTRODUCTION: Only a limited reference material for acoustic rhinometry (AR) exists for school children most often calculated as the minimum cross-sectional area (MCA) in the non-decongested nose. We want to establish a set of reference values for MCA and nasal volumes for both adults and children and include values also for the decongested nose and determine the most sensitive measurement for change in nasal patency. METHOD: Data from two studies were used; one comprising of 53 (20M, 33F) school children, age 9-11 years, and one comprising 146 (127M, 19F) healthy workers in the wood industry. Measurements by acoustic rhinometry were done before and after decongestion with two puffs of oxymethazoline nasal spray (1 mg/ml). RESULTS: We found the decongested nasal volume (2-5 cm) to be 3.71 cm3 (3.58-3.84) in school children and 5.44 cm3 (5.21-5.67) in adults. We found the volume from 2-5 cm into the nasal cavity to be the most sensitive measure of change in nasal patency by decongestion, and MCA to be the least sensitive in both adults and children. DISCUSSION: A larger study population of children, covering a broader range of age, is needed to stratify for gender and height. Our data in adults are in accordance with previous findings. CONCLUSION: We have provided a reference material for acoustic rhinometry in school children and adults. Future evaluation of change in nasal patency should contain information about nasal volume from 2-5 cm into the nasal cavity and not just MCA in adults and school children.     

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%.     

Correlation of three variables describing nasal patency (HD,MCA, NOSE score) in healthy subjects

Rhinoresistometry and acoustic rhinometry are two established apparative methods to objectify the respiratory function of the nose. Both methods use different variables to describe nasal patency: “hydraulic diameter”, HD, in rhinoresistometry, and “minimal cross-sectional area”, MCA1 (nasal isthmus) and MCA2 (head of the inferior turbinate and cavernous body of the nasal septum), in acoustic rhinometry.ObjectiveThis study analyzes the mutual correlation of HD and MCA as a pilot study in patients without nasal pathologies. Additionally, we investigated if these objective variables correlate with the NOSE score, a validated tool to measure subjective perception of nasal patency.MethodPlanned data collection in a collective of 24 healthy subjects without nasal pathologies.ResultsStatistically significant, weak to moderate correlations were found between HD and MCA2 before decongestion. A moderate correlation was found between both HD and MCA2 and the NOSE score on the narrower side.ConclusionIn the assessment of nasal patency, it seems advisable to determine HD, MCA1 and MCA2, but also a subjective variable such as the NOSE score, which all seem to be not fully redundant variables. In further studies, the correlation of the variables should be assessed in patients with nasal pathologies.     

Acoustic rhinometry in persons recruited from the general population and diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis according to EPOS

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a disease related to the nose and the paranasal sinus as defined by the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS) criteria. The criteria include subjective symptoms, such as nasal obstruction, and objective findings by endoscopy. Acoustic rhinometry (AR) is an objective method to determine nasal cavity geometry. The technique is based on a sound pulse reflection analysis in the nasal cavity and determines cross-sectional areas as a function of distance as well as volume. AR measurements in persons recruited from the general population, with and without CRS based on the clinical EPOS criteria, were investigated. As part of a trans-European study, 362 persons, comprising 91 persons with CRS and 271 persons without CRS, were examined by an otolaryngologist including rhinoscopy. Minimum cross-sectional area, distance to minimum cross-sectional area, and volume in the nasal cavity were measured by acoustic rhinometry and all participants underwent Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow (PNIF) and allergy test. A difference in AR was found before and after decongestion, but no difference was seen between CRS patients and controls. Positive correlation between AR and PNIF was found and AR was capable of identifying mucosal oedema and septum deviation visualised by rhinoscopy. In conclusion, AR, as a single instrument, was not capable of discriminating persons with CRS from persons without CRS in the general population. However, AR correlates well with PNIF and was capable of identifying septum deviation and mucosal oedema.     

Korean Modification of the Nasal Provocation Test With House Dust Mite Antigen Following the EAACI Guidelines

ObjectivesWe evaluated the usefulness of the standardized nasal provocation test (NPT) protocol recently published by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) and compared the utility of several parameters for diagnosing allergic rhinitis (AR) caused by house dust mites (HDM). Subjective parameters were nasal and ocular symptoms measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), and objective parameters were peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), minimal cross-sectional area (MCA), and total nasal volume (TNV).MethodsBefore and after spraying Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) allergen (1,000 AU/mL, 100 μL) into both nostrils of 13 patients with AR (AR group) and 22 patients with non-AR (NAR group), we used VAS scores to measure nasal symptoms (nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing, and itching) and ocular symptoms and assessed PNIF, MCA, and TNV.ResultsThe AR group had significantly worse symptoms than the NAR group 15 minutes after DP challenge (P<0.001). After 30 minutes, nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea remained worse in the AR group (P<0.001); a similar but less marked difference was seen for sneezing (P=0.012) and itching (P=0.039). Ocular symptoms, PNIF, MCA, and TNV differed between groups after both 15 and 30 minutes (P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was higher for nasal obstruction (0.977), rhinorrhea (0.906), and TNV (0.979) than for sneezing (0.755), itching (0.673), and MCA (0.836).ConclusionNPT performed according to the EAACI guidelines could help diagnose AR caused by HDM. TNV and VAS changes in nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea had higher diagnostic accuracy than other parameters.     

The effect of cold water immersion on the nasal mucosa

The response of the nasal mucosa to cold water immersion is not well known. We have attempted to document this response in normal individuals. Seventeen individuals with no history of nasal disease or allergy were studied. All subjects were asked to perform sustained cold water (15°C) immersion of their hand and forearm on the side of the obstructed nostril for a period of 5 min. The nasal cross-sectional area was measured on both sides of the nose using an acoustic rhinometer. The individuals were then rested for at least 30 min and the test repeated with immersion of the opposite hand. There was a significant fall in nasal cross-sectional area on the side of immersion (median change = 0.32 cm², P= 0.0003) with a significant rise in nasal cross-sectional area on the none test side (median change = 0.35 cm², P= 0.0003). There were no significant differences between these results and those obtained by immersion on the opposite side. The results indicate that cold water immersion produces nasal obstruction and that both afferent and efferent arms of this reflex are side-specific.     

The importance of side difference in nasal obstruction and rhinomanometry: a retrospective correlation of symptoms and rhinomanometry in 1000 patients

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2012, 37 , 17–22 Objectives: The correlation between subjective and objective outcomes of nasal obstruction is still a matter of controversy. The aim of this study was to determine the minimal level of side difference in nasal airway resistance (NAR measured by Broms’v₂) between the two nasal cavities, which could be discerned subjectively by the patient on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Nasal airway resistance was calculated from rhinomanometric measurements of nasal airflow and transnasal pressure after decongestion of the nasal mucosa. Design: A retrospective study. Setting: ENT department, Vaxjo Central Hospital, Sweden. Participants: We studied 1000 active anterior rhinomanometries from patients with nasal obstructions. Main outcome measures: We compared the side difference of nasal airway resistance with the side difference of VAS estimated immediately prior to the rhinomanometry. Each measurement was performed after nasal decongestion. Results: When the difference in nasal airway resistance between the two nasal cavities was larger than 20° (Broms’v₂) or R₂ > 0.36 Pa/cm³/s, we found a significant correlation between side differences of the objective measurement and the subjective assessment (VAS). With a nasal airway resistance side difference over 20°, an additional 20° difference corresponded to a 0.9 centimetre average VAS change. The more obstructed side of the nose could be determined by VAS in 823 (82.3%) of 1000 patients. Yet, 177 (17.7%) patients had a paradoxical sensation of nasal obstruction with the low resistance side of the nose experienced as the most congested side. Conclusion: A significant correlation between the side differences of nasal airway resistance and VAS can serve as a supplement to rhinoscopy in decisions about nasal surgery. This study also showed that in 17.7% of patients, there was a negative correlation between subjective and objective evaluations of nasal airway resistance. But in this group, the nasal airway resistance side difference was mostly under 20°.     

应用声反射鼻测量计对鼻腔最小横截面积及其位置的测定

为了确定不同年龄组鼻腔最小横截面积及其距前鼻孔的距离，应用声反射鼻测量计对１３５５名健康儿童，少年及成人（３￣８６岁）进行检测，并对儿童、少年的ＭＣＡ、ＤＣＡ值与年龄相关性进行初步探讨。     

Acoustic Rhinometry Assessment of the Nasal Cycle in Neonates

In this study the nasal cycle in newborns was assessed using acoustic rhinometry with miniprobe (RHIN 2100). Enrolled in the study were 67 newborns aged 2 to 4 days. Each subject was assessed for 3 h, examinations taking place every 30 min. At least six measurements, three from each nostril, were taken at each examination. The miniprobe RHIN 2100 (SR Electronics ApS) was used for evaluation of nasal geometry. The minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) and the total volume of the anterior 45 mm (VOL₄₅) were calculated and used for statistical analysis. The mean volume of MCA and VOL₄₅ in the examined group of children was 0.08 cm3 and 1.19 cm3 respectively. Nasal cycle was assessed by constructing the plots of acoustic rhinometry parameters MCA or VOL₄₅ for time and statistically using Pearson's correlation coefficients. Most of the examined infants (70?85%) showed no significant fluctuations in nasal patency.     

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.