Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T11:12:59.705Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Role of spirometry in detection of nasal obstruction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2013

M Farhadi ,
H Ghanbari ,
F Izadi ,
E Amintehran ,
M S Eikani  and
Y Ghavami
M Farhadi
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Research Center, Rasoul Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran
H Ghanbari*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Research Center, Rasoul Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran
F Izadi
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Research Center, Rasoul Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran
E Amintehran
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Research Center, Rasoul Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran
M S Eikani
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Mercer University School of Medicine, Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, Georgia, USA
Y Ghavami
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Research Center, Rasoul Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Hadi Ghanbari, Otolaryngologist–Head and Neck Surgeon, Department of Otolaryngology, ENT.HNS Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Rasoul Akram Hospital/Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Sattarkhan Avenue, Tehran, Iran Fax: + 98 21 66525329 E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background:

A subjective feeling of nasal airflow obstruction is a common symptom. An objective method for quantitative measurement of nasal airflow has long been desired. Rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry have been developed for anatomical and physiological evaluation of nasal obstruction. This study was designed to determine the usefulness of a portable spirometer in assessing upper airway obstruction.

Methods:

One hundred and ninety-six patients were assessed with nasal inspiratory spirometry to determine nasal airflow. All patients also underwent paranasal sinus computed tomography to determine anatomical abnormalities. Spirometry was performed on each nostril separately.

Results:

Sensitivity and specificity levels were high. This portable and easy to use device may be useful in respiratory assessment. Correlation between anatomical obstructions and subjects' complaints was statistically significant (p < 0.001), but no definite correlation between septal deviation severity and spirometric values was found.

Conclusion:

Portable spirometry is an objective and useful method of evaluating nasal obstruction, but needs more investigation to establish a standardised test.

Keywords

Nasal ObstructionDiagnosisSpirometry
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 3 , March 2013 , pp. 271 - 273
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Jessen, M, Janzon, L. Prevalence of non-allergic nasal complaints in an urban and a rural population in Sweden. Allergy 1989;44:582–7CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2Hanif, J, Jawad, SS, Eccles, R. A study to assess the usefulness of a portable spirometer to quantify the severity of nasal septal deviation. Rhinology 2003;41:11–15Google ScholarPubMed
3Min, YG, Jung, HW, Kim, CS. Prevalence study of nasal septal deformities in Korea: results of a nation-wide survey. Rhinology 1995;33:61–5Google ScholarPubMed
4Eccles, R. The relationship between subjective and objective measures of nasal function. Jap J Rhinol 1998;37:61–9CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5Belić, B, Andrić, V. Importance of active anterior rhinomanometry. Srp Arh Celok Lek 2002;130(suppl 1):33–6Google ScholarPubMed
6Schumacher, MJ. Nasal congestion and airway obstruction: the validity of available objective and subjective measures. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2002;2:245–51CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Hanif, J, Eccles, R, Jawad, SS. Use of a portable spirometer for studies on the nasal cycle. Am J Rhinol 2001;15:303–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8Suzina, AH, Hamzah, M, Samsudin, AR. Objective assessment of nasal resistance in patients with nasal disease. J Laryngol Otol 2003;117:609–13CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Kim, CS, Moon, BK, Jung, DH, Min, YG. Correlation between nasal obstruction symptoms and objective parameters of acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry. Auris Nasus Larynx 1998;25:45–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10Roblin, DG, Eccles, R. Normal range for nasal partitioning of airflow determined by nasal spirometry in 100 healthy subjects. Am J Rhinol 2003;17:179–83CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed