Acoustic rhinometry in preschool children.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to measure nasal cavity volume (NV) in preschool children with the use of acoustic rhinometry (AR).


METHODS
Prospective study: 1) Nasal cavity models were used to test the correlations between NV, minimal cross-sectional area (MCA), and nasal resistance; 2) 97 four-year-olds (48 boys, 49 girls) and 137 five-year-olds (68 boys, 69 girls) children were selected to undergo AR.


RESULTS
1. Model tests showed that the resistance correlated better with the changes of the volume than the MCA. 2. The average bilateral NV in preschool children was 2.03 +/- 0.4 mL. There was no significant difference in either gender (P = 0.2) or age (P = 0.197).


CONCLUSIONS
Volume measurement appears more sensitive and reliable than the MCA in assessing nasal patency. AR was easily performed on preschool children, and normative NV values were achieved.


CONCLUSIONS
The results and conclusions can be used to establish a standardized technique for AR measurement and interpretation.
Qian
Wei
W
Department of Otolaryngology, The First People's Hospital of Zhenjiang, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu Province, PR China. w.qian@utoronto.ca
Chen
Wenwen
W
Chen
Joseph M
JM
Haight
James
J
D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards