Nasal pressure-volume relationships determined with acoustic rhinometry.
Partitioning of ventilation has been hypothesized to be related to nasal pressure-volume relationships, relationships that have been difficult to measure. Regional differences in nasal passage pressure-volume relationships are likely because the nasal valve and anterior turbinate are structurally different, but both are altered by agents that alter vascular tone. This study determined nasal volume-to-pressure ratio (NVPR) on six healthy nonsmoking subjects by measuring nasal volume by using acoustic rhinometry at pressures ranging between -14 and +14 cmH2O on 3 days: baseline, after intranasal decongestion (oxymetazoline), and congestion (histamine). NVPR was lower in the nasal valve (0.07 +/- 0.01 cm3/cmH2O) than in the anterior portion of the turbinates (0.29 +/- 0.05 cm3/cmH2O; P < 0.005). Oxymetazoline decongestion decreased NVPR in the nasal valve by 23% and NVPR in the anterior portion of the turbinates by 47%. Histamine did not alter NVPR at either site. Nasal resistance changes correlated with changes in nasal valve and anterior turbinate volume. In summary, regional differences in nasal pressure-volume relationships exist and changes occur with pharmacologically induced vascular decongestion.
Kesavanathan
J
J
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore 21205, USA.
Swift
D L
DL
Bascom
R
R
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D000399:Air Pressure; D005260:Female; D006632:Histamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000494:pharmacology; D010109:Oxymetazoline / Q000494:pharmacology; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014420:Turbinates / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D014663:Nasal Decongestants; D006632:Histamine; D010109:Oxymetazoline