Long-term stability of rhinomanometer calibration.
OBJECTIVE
Rhinomanometry is a method to quantitatively measure the patency of the nasal airway. Nasal airflow and transnasal pressure gradient are measured simultaneously and from these data, nasal resistance to flow is calculated. The reliability of the recordings is dependent on calibration of the pressure transducers and pneumotachograph used to measure flow and pressure. We introduce a simple and economic method to follow up the calibration and level of resistance results obtained over a long period.


METHODS
In this method, a set of artificial nose models was made with which rhinomanometric recordings were made at regular intervals. Each model was tested four times yearly over a 7-year period.


RESULTS
Our recordings show that the rhinomanometer used in our nose laboratory did give stable results during the 7-year follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
We can rely on the comparability of the clinical patient results measured during that period.
Sipilä
J
J
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Suonpää
J
J
D002138:Calibration; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009296:Nasal Cavity; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation