Accuracy of acoustic rhinometry versus computed tomography in the evaluation of nasal cavity in patients with nasal polyposis.
BACKGROUND
Acoustic rhinometry (AR) accuracy in the diagnosis and follow-up of nasal polyps is as yet unclear. Our objective was to study its accuracy compared with computed tomography (CT) in patients with nasal polyps.


METHODS
We studied 29 patients diagnosed of nasal polyposis by nasal endoscopy. In all patients sinunasal CT-scan, AR and nasal nitric oxide (NO) were assessed. Nasal volumes between 0 and 5 (V(0-5)) and 5 and 9 (V(5-9)) centimetres from nasal inlet were measured with AR and CT-scan, by using Pearson and intraclass correlation coefficient tests.


RESULTS
All patients (29,79% males, mean age 48.2 yr [range 34-61]) had nasal polyps (score 2-3 on Lildholdt classification, score 0-3). Measurements (right plus left sides) were: AR 8.9 +/- 0.8 cm(3) (V(0-5)) and 15.5 +/- 3.6 cm(3)(V(5-9)); CT 6.5 +/- 0.4 cm(3) (V(0-5)) and 6.3 +/- 0.8 cm(3) (V(5-9)). Pearson correlation was r = 0.67 (p < 0.01) for V(0-5) and r = 0.62 (p < 0.05) for V(5-9). Intraclass correlation coefficient test was 0.51 (V(0-5)) and 0.28 (V(5-9)) for consistency; and 0.43 (V(0-5)) and 0.23 (V(5-9)) for absolute agreement. Low levels of NO (312.3 +/- 43.8 ppb) were found and the correlation between NO levels and volumes (V(0-5) or V(0-9)) measured by AR was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared to CT-scan, AR measurements accurately reflect the geometry of nasal cavity volumes in patients with nasal polyps, with a better assessment in the anterior part of the nasal cavity.
Muñoz-Cano
R
R
Allergy Unit, Pneumology and Allergy Department, Hospital Clínic - IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. rmunoz@clinic.ub.es
Salvador
R
R
Valero
A
A
Berenguer
J
J
Alobid
I
I
Bartra
J
J
Guilemany
J M
JM
Mullol
J
J
Picado
C
C
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D009569:Nitric Oxide