Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T14:00:55.291Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Use of computational fluid dynamics to study the influence of the uncinate process on nasal airflow

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2010

G-X Xiong ,
J-M Zhan ,
K-J Zuo ,
L-W Rong ,
J-F Li  and
G Xu
G-X Xiong
Affiliation:
Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital, Otorhinolaryngology Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
J-M Zhan
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
K-J Zuo
Affiliation:
Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital, Otorhinolaryngology Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
L-W Rong
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
J-F Li
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanics, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
G Xu*
Affiliation:
Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital, Otorhinolaryngology Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Geng Xu, Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Otorhinolaryngology Institute of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China Fax:  + 86 20 87333733 E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background:

Chronic rhinosinusitis is commonly treated by functional endoscopic sinus surgery involving excision of the uncinate process and opening of the osteomeatal complex.

Methods:

Computational fluid dynamics were used to compare nasal airflow after two different surgical interventions which involved opening the paranasal sinuses, excising the ethmoid sinus, and excising or preserving the uncinate process, in a cadaveric head model. Cross-sectional computed tomography images were obtained before and after the interventions. Imaging data were used to prepare computer simulations, which were used to assess the airflow characteristics of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses during inspiration and expiration, before and after intervention.

Results:

Significantly larger nasal cavity airflow velocity changes were apparent following the uncinate process excising procedure. Nasal cavity airflow distribution remained relatively unchanged following the uncinate process preserving procedure. There was a significantly greater increase in airflow volume following the uncinate process excising procedure, compared with the uncinate process preserving procedure.

Conclusion:

Preservation of the uncinate process may significantly reduce the alteration of nasal cavity airflow dynamics occurring after functional endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis.

Keywords

Nasal CavityAirflowUncinate ProcessEndoscopy
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 1 , January 2011 , pp. 30 - 37
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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

1 Osguthorpe, JD. Surgical outcomes in rhinosinusitis: what we know. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;120:451–3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2 Xiong, G, Zhan, JM, Zuo, KJ, Li, JF, Rong, LW, Xu, G. Numerical flow simulation in the post-endoscopic sinus intervention nasal cavity. Med Biol Eng Comput 2008;46:1161–7Google Scholar
3 Xiong, G, Zhan, JM, Li, JF, Rong, LW, Xu, G. Computational fluid dynamics simulation of airflow in the normal nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Am J Rhinol 2008;22:477–82Google Scholar
4 Palmer, JN, Kennedy, DW. Medical management in functional endoscopic sinus intervention failures. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2003;11:6–12CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5 Stammberger, H. Endoscopic endonasal intervention – concepts in treatment of recurring rhinosinusitis. Part I. Anatomic and pathophysiologic considerations. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1986;94:143–7Google Scholar
6 Yildirim, A, Oh, C, Erdem, H, Kunt, T. Bacteriology in patients with chronic sinusitis who have been medically and surgically treated. Ear Nose Throat J 2004;83:836–8Google Scholar
7 Grella, E, Paciocco, G, Ferraraccio, F, Caterino, U, Mazzarella, G. Primary ciliary dyskinesia. Allergy 2001;56:1105–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8 Isobe, M, Murakami, G, Kataura, A. Variations of the uncinate process of the lateral nasal wall with clinical implications. Clin Anat 1998;11:295–3033.0.CO;2-P>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9 Xu, G. Preservation or reconstruction of uncinate process in endoscopic sinus intervention [in Chinese]. Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2007;42:3–6Google ScholarPubMed
10 Croce, C, Fodil, R, Durand, M, Sbirlea-Apiou, G, Caillibotte, G, Papon, J et al. In vitro experiments and numerical simulations of airflow in realistic nasal airway geometry. Ann Biomed Eng 2006;34:997–1007Google Scholar
11 Kim, JK, Yoon, JH, Kim, CH, Nam, TW, Shim, DB, Shin, HA. Particle image velocimetry measurements for the study of nasal airflow. Acta Otolaryngol 2006;126:282–7Google Scholar
12 Isobe, M, Murakami, G, Kataura, A. Variations of the uncinate process of the lateral nasal wall with clinical implications. Clin Anat 1998;11:295–303Google Scholar
13 Xiong, G, Li, J, Xu, G. Influence of uncinate process on aerodynamic characteristics of nasal cavity and maxillary sinus. [in Chinese]. Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2009;44:10–15Google Scholar