Nasal spirometery.
Loading...
Date
2010-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Nasal obstruction is a common symptom which is difficult to
quantify clinically. Rhinomanometry, Acoustic Rhinometry and Forced
Oscillation methods are available for estimating nasal resistance but, these
require sophisticated machines. Because of limited availability of these
techniques, this potential physiological measure has not been tapped fully
for research and clinical purposes. Here, we describe the use of pulmonary
spirometer with little modification for quantification of nasal flow. Nasal
inspiratory and expiratory flow rates along with oral inspiratory and
expiratory flow rates are used to derive different nasal resistance indices.
This way of reporting nasal resistance is not new but, the data for these
variables is currently not available in published literature. The
reproducibility of nasal flow rates were tested as variation after one day
and the interclass coefficient for inspiratory and expiratory nasal flow
rates were found to be with in acceptable limits. Thus, nasal spirometery
is able to describe the nasal resistance in a reliable manner and may be
used to quantify nasal obstruction in pathological condition and also to
study the physiological phenomenon like nasal cycle.
Description
Keywords
nasal flow rate, nasal obstruction, nasal patency, nasal spirometry, rhinomanometry
Citation
Goyal M, Verma N S, Goel A, Kumar P, Tiwari S. Nasal spirometery. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. 2010 Jul-Sept; 54(3): 271-276.