title: Objective measures for functional diagnostic of the upper airways: practical aspects.
abstract: To review the main papers published on the main available tests to obtain objective values of nasal patency and to demonstrate aspects of their use in medical practice.
  
  
  
  We performed a non-systematic review of the MEDLINE and LILACS databases, and the most relevant articles were selected.
  
  
  
  Objective evaluations are important in epidemiological studies and in monitoring of patients with nasal obstruction. There is a wide variety of objective tests of nasal function; among them acoustic rhinometry, rhinomanometry, and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) are currently the most used tests.
  
  
  
  The choice of the method to evaluate nasal function depends on the conditions of each health service. PNIF has been highlighted as a simple and reliable alternative that provides easy-to-interpret results, and is thus an attractive method for clinical practice.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chaves
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ibiapina
mesh_terms: D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007320:Inspiratory Capacity / Q000502:physiology; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D025363:Rhinomanometry; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D013147:Spirometry