Adult nasal volumes assessed by acoustic rhinometry.
Acoustic rhinometry allows an objective and non-invasive assessment of nasal geometry.


OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed at determining the volumes of specific segments of the nasal cavity in healthy adults including the nasopharynx, using acoustic rhinometry.


METHODS
A clinical prospective analysis.


METHODS
Thirty volunteers with no evidence of nasal obstruction, aged 18 to 30 years (14 males and 16 females) were analyzed. Volumes were measured at the nasal valve region (V1), the turbinates (V2), and the nasopharynx (V3), before and after application of a topical nasal vasoconstrictor.


RESULTS
The mean volumes measured in 60 cavities before nasal decongestion, were: 1.81+/-0.35 cm(3) (V1), 4.02+/-1.41 cm(3) (V2), and 17.52+/-4.44 cm(3) (V3) for males, and 1.58+/-0.25 cm(3) (V1), 3.94+/-1.03 cm(3) (V2), and 17.80+/-2.73 cm(3) (V3) for females. Gender differences were only significant in V1 (p<0.05). After nasal decongestion, the volumes of all the analyzed segments were significantly larger (p<0.05), and the gender differences were significant for V1 and V2.


CONCLUSIONS
Volumes of the three segments in adults with no evidence of nasal obstruction may be used as reference values for other studies.
Trindade
Inge Elly Kiemle
IE
Biological Science Department, Bauro Dentistry School--USP, Bauro, SP, Brazil. ingetrin@usp.br
Gomes
Adriana de Oliveira Camargo
Ade O
Sampaio-Teixeira
Ana Claudia Martins
AC
Trindade
Sergio Henrique Kiemle
SH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects; D014663:Nasal Decongestants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D012737:Sex Factors
D014663:Nasal Decongestants