title: Effect of septal perforations on measures of nasal resistance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of septal perforations on posterior and anterior rhinomanometric measures of nasal resistance in an analog model.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were analyzed using a repeated-measures ANOVA. Nasal resistance was the dependent variable, while type of rhinomanometry, septal perforation size, and position of resistance (proximal vs. distal) were nominal scale independent variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  The analog model used in this study was similar to that described by Warren and Devereux (1966), except that the nasal cavities of the model were modified to create septal perforations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The main dependent measure was nasal resistance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An Important finding of this investigation was that septal perforations resulted in large differences (> 3 cm H2O/L/sec) between posterior and anterior nasal resistance values in the bilateral proximal resistor condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anterior rhinomanometry may underestimate true nasal resistance when a septal perforation is present, because the septal perforation prevents accurate measurement of nasopharyngeal pressure. Posterior rhinomanometric measures should accurately reflect nasal resistance despite septal perforations, because the perforation does not invalidate the estimate of nasopharyngeal pressure.
authors.affiliation: Craniofacial Center, University of Illinois at Chicago 60612-7308, USA.
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Guyette
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002138:Calibration; D003202:Computers, Analog; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D008954:Models, Biological; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000473:pathology*; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D009666:Nose / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011312:Pressure; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology