title: Nasal air conditioning in relation to acoustic rhinometry values.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Changes of nasal dimensions can influence the air-conditioning capacity of the nose because of alterations of airflow patterns. The goal of this study was to evaluate the correlation between intranasal temperature and humidity values and nasal dimensions, assessed by means of acoustic rhinometry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty healthy volunteers (40 men and 40 women; median age, 51 years; range, 20-84 years) were enrolled in the study. In total, 160 nasal cavities were examined. All volunteers underwent a standardized acoustic rhinometry. Additionally, intranasal air temperature and humidity measurements at defined intranasal detection sites within the anterior nasal segment were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant difference between the right and left side of the nose regarding air temperature, absolute humidity, and acoustic rhinometric values. A negative correlation was established between the rhinometric nasal volumes/minimal cross-sectional areas and air temperature and absolute humidity values at the three intranasal detection sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our results, nasal volumes and cross- sectional areas relevantly influence nasal air conditioning. A healthy nasal cavity with smaller volumes and cross-sectional areas seems to present a more effective air-conditioning function than a too "wide" open nose because of changes in airflow patterns. This observation should be considered as a limitation for overly extensive nasal surgery especially of the turbinates.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. joerg.lindemann@uniklinik-ulm.de
authors: Joerg
authors: J
authors: Lindemann
authors: Evangelia
authors: E
authors: Tsakiropoulou
authors: Tilman
authors: T
authors: Keck
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Leiacker
authors: Kerstin M
authors: KM
authors: Wiesmiller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000388:Air / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009929:Organ Size; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D013696:Temperature