Nasal cavity geometry of healthy adults assessed using acoustic rhinometry.
Acoustic rhinometry (AR) has been used as a specific test for nasal patency.


OBJECTIVE
this study aimed to set the reference values for nasal cavity cross-section geometry in healthy adults through AR.


METHODS
this is a clinical prospective study.


METHODS
thirty volunteers (14 males and 16 females) without signs of nasal obstruction and aged between 18 and 30 years were enrolled in this study. They were assessed before and after being treated topically with a nasal vasoconstrictor drug. Their nasal cross-sectional areas were measured at the three dips of the rhinogram, corresponding respectively to the nasal valve (CSA1), the anterior (CSA2), and the posterior (CSA3) region of the inferior and middle turbinate.


RESULTS
the mean areas (+/-SD) for 60 nasal cavities before nasal vasoconstriction were: 0.54+/-0.13cm2 (CSA1), 0.98+/-0.31 cm2 (CSA2), and 1.42+/-0.44cm2 (CSA3). After vasoconstriction, the mean values of the three segments analyzed were significantly larger (p<0.05). Gender was not a statistically significant variable.


CONCLUSIONS
The nasal cross-sectional areas obtained for adults may be used for control purposes when studying patients with nasal obstruction, in conjunction with the nasal volume values previously reported by our group.
de Oliveira Camargo Gomes
Adriana
A
MSc at the Graduate Program on Rehabilitation Sciences at Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais (HRAC-USP). PhD student at the Graduate Program on Rehabilitation Sciences at HRAC-USP, Physiology Laboratory, Bauru-SP.
Sampaio-Teixeira
Ana Claudia Martins
ACM
PhD at the Graduate Program on Rehabilitation Sciences at HRAC-USP. Physiologist at the Physiology Laboratory, HRAC-USP, Bauru-SP.
Trindade
Sergio Henrique Kiemle
SHK
Specialist on Otorhinolaryngology, PhD student at the Graduate Program on Otorhinolaryngology at Faculdade de Medicina (FMUSP). MD, otorhinolaryngologist at Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual-SP, Hospital Estadual de Bauru-SP and Hospital das Clínicas-FMUSP-SP.
Trindade
Inge Elly Kiemle
IEK
Full Professor - Department of Biologic Sciences at Faculdade de Bauru-USP and at the Physiology Laboratory at HRAC-USP, Bauru-SP. Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais Universidade de São Paulo. Electronic address: ingetrin@usp.br.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents