Measurement of nasal geometry by acoustic rhinometry in normal-breathing Asian children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to obtain normal values of nasal geometry in Asian children with no nasal problems using the acoustic rhinometry method.


METHODS
Acoustic rhinometric measurement of the nasal fossae was performed in pediatric patients coming for general surgical operations with no nasal problem.


RESULTS
A cohort study of 183 children in an acute care hospital with full elective and emergency surgical services was undertaken. The mean minimal cross-sectional area (MCA), which was functionally important for nasal breathing, was found to be 0.32 cm2 (SD = 0.13) and situated at 1.40 cm (SD = 0.26) from the anterior nare. Normal values for area, length, and volume of the nose in these children as a group and at different ages from 1 to 11 years old were obtained.


CONCLUSIONS
Acoustic rhinometry was found to be well tolerated by the children. The MCA was confirmed to be situated at the anterior part of the nose and had a positive correlation with an increase in age.
Ho
W K
WK
Division of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
Wei
W I
WI
Yuen
A P
AP
Chan
K L
KL
Hui
Y
Y
D000162:Acoustics; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration