Nasal sound analysis: a new method for evaluating nasal obstruction in allergic rhinitis

OBJECTIVE: Current measurements of nasal obstruction are unreliable and may be improved with the development of new techniques. The effectiveness of odiosoft-rhino (OR) in the evaluation of nasal obstruction was investigated in a blind comparison at a referral center, institutional practice. PATIENTS: Forty-eight patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and 52 healthy subjects were studied. Nasal endoscopic examination, acoustic rhinometry (AR), and OR were performed and symptom scores compared. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Assessment of nasal blockage with OR method was the main outcome measure. RESULTS: Using the OR technique, significant differences were observed between the patient and control groups. OR data correlated with symptom scores and endoscopic examination. However, this was not observed with AR. A 15.5-dB cutoff point for the left side and 14.5 dB cutoff point for the right side at the 2,000 to 4,000 Hz frequency interval resulted in 93.8% sensitivity and 92.3% specificity and 72.9% sensitivity and 80.8% specificity, respectively. A 8.5-dB cutoff point for the left and right sides at the 4,000 to 6,000 Hz frequency interval resulted in 87.5% sensitivity and 80.8% specificity and 70.8% sensitivity and 78.8% specificity, respectively. CONCLUSION: OR is a simple, noninvasive test for assessing nasal obstruction. The OR technique can detect nasal obstruction with high sensitivity and specificity, and these findings correlate with symptoms and physical examination.