Comparison of optical rhinometry and active anterior rhinomanometry using nasal provocation testing.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether there is a correlation between active anterior rhinomanometry (RMM) and optical rhinometry (ORM) data in the detection of changes in nasal congestion.


METHODS
In 70 subjects both ORM and RMM were performed. Changes in nasal congestion were induced by nasal provocation with histamine, allergens, solvent, and xylometazoline hydrochloride, 0.1%. Using visual analog scales, subjects rated the degree of nasal congestion and how comfortable each of the 2 measures was. In total, 136 measurements were evaluated.


METHODS
Seventy subjects were included in the study. All had a normal otorhinolaryngologic status with no acute or chronic infections.


METHODS
Nasal provocation tests with allergens, histamine, control solution, or xylometazoline were performed.


METHODS
Congestion or decongestion of the nasal mucosa was measured via nasal resistance (RMM), changes in light absorption of the nasal tissue (ORM), and visual analog scale.


RESULTS
When comparing the relative change in light extinction in ORM with nasal airflow in RMM, we found correlation coefficients up to r = -0.69. Results from RMM were correlated with the subjects' ratings of nasal congestion (r = -0.63). In comparison, the correlation coefficient between these ratings and ORM was r = 0.84. In addition, ORM was rated to be more comfortable than RMM.


CONCLUSIONS
The subjects' ratings of nasal congestion correlated to a higher degree with the results from ORM than with those from RMM. In addition, ORM was rated as more comfortable than RMM. Overall, ORM appeared to be a valid technique for the assessment of changes in nasal congestion.
Wüstenberg
Eike Gunther
EG
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany. eike.wuestenberg@uniklinikum-dresden.de
Zahnert
Thomas
T
Hüttenbrink
Karl-Bernd
KB
Hummel
Thomas
T
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000295:instrumentation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D025363:Rhinomanometry / Q000379:methods*; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity