Nasal Airway Volume and Resistance to Airflow

Abstract

Background In modern rhinological practice and research, rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry are widely used. The goal of this study was to determine whether there is correlation between rhinomanometrically derived nasal airflow resistances and acoustic rhinometrically derived nasal airway volumes. Methods To achieve the goal, a prospective cross-sectional study of a total of 316 patients complaining of nasal obstruction was performed. Resulting data were compared by means of Spearman rank correlations of the total number of patients and of subgroups. Results The total number of patients, and most subgroups, in both their untreated and decongested states showed significant negative correlation unilaterally between nasal airflow resistances and nasal volumes. Conclusion Rhinomanometric nasal airflow resistances and concurrent acoustic rhinometric nasal airway volumes are closely correlated. The combination of the two objective methods provides insight into nasal airflow physiology and nasal airway anatomy.