The effect of allergen provocation on the nasal cycle estimated by acoustic rhinometry.
CONCLUSIONS
The overall duration and reciprocity of the nasal cycle were not changed after allergen provocation. The duration of immediate response was 38 min, but the amplitude of the nasal cycle was increased significantly after allergen provocation.


OBJECTIVE
Nasal airflow is asymmetrical and subjected to spontaneous reciprocal changes which are referred to as the nasal cycle. Limited information is available on how this is affected by allergens. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of allergen provocation on the nasal cycle.


METHODS
This study was performed on 25 patients with allergic rhinitis and 25 subjects in a control group with no symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Acoustic rhinometry was used to test patients before and after allergen provocation. The patients underwent acoustic rhinometry at 15-min intervals for evaluation of nasal cycle and 3-min intervals for immediate response.


RESULTS
With the allergic patients, 21 of the 25 patients (84.0%) showed a nasal cycle and they still had a nasal cycle after the allergen provocation. In the study on the changes in the immediate responses, the average recovery time was 38 min and the reduction rate of the non-patent side was higher than that of the patent side. Also, the average period of the nasal cycle was 153 min before the allergen provocation and 140 min on average after the allergen provocation; there were no statistical differences. The amplitude of each nasal cycle increased after allergen provocation and the difference had statistical meaning.
Kim
Jin Kook
JK
Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Konkuk University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jkkimmd@kuh.ac.kr
Cho
Jae Hoon
JH
Jang
Hyun Jong
HJ
Shim
Dae Bo
DB
Shin
Hyang Ae
HA
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000503:physiopathology; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic / Q000379:methods*
D000485:Allergens