title: Acoustic rhinometry: anatomic correlation of the first two notches found in the nasal echogram.
abstract: The graphic obtained by acoustic rhinometry in Caucasian adult individuals with no nasal affections clearly shows two notches at the beginning of the nasal echogram. However, there are controversies in the literature concerning their anatomic correlation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to obtain data that would contribute to the anatomic correlation of these two notches.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical prospective.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the nasal echogram of 35 volunteers in basal conditions, after decongestion and after obstruction of the nasal valve by using cotton impregnated with Vaseline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified statistically significant reduction and increase of the cross-sectional area only for the second notch after obstruction of the nasal valve and after decongestion, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The analysis of the results suggested that the first notch of the nasal echogram refers to the nostril and the second notch refers to the nasal valve as a whole.
authors.affiliation: UNITAU, Medical School. otorrinoclinica@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Carlos Eduardo Nazareth
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Nigro
authors.forename: Josiane Faria de Aguiar
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Nigro
authors.forename: Richard Louis
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Voegels
authors.forename: Olavo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mion
authors.forename: João Ferreira
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Mello Junior
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D014463:Ultrasonography