title: Accuracy of acoustic rhinometry versus computed tomography in the evaluation of nasal cavity in patients with nasal polyposis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Unit, Pneumology and Allergy Department, Hospital Clínic - IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. rmunoz@clinic.ub.es
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Cano
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salvador
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valero
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berenguer
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alobid
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bartra
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Guilemany
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mullol
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Picado
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide