Classification of total nasal obstruction in 10,033 cases by 4-phase –rhinomanometry

BACKGROUND. The measurement of the total nasal resistance by rhinomanometry is of special interest in the functional diagnosis of the nasopharynx and retropalatal space. It can be measured by posterior rhinomanometry or estimated by calculating the total resistance from measurements of both sides. Because the standard parameters of the classic rhinomanometry have to be considered as obsolete, Vertex Resistance and Effective Resistance and their logarithmic derivations have been introduced with 4-phase-rhinomanometry.

MATERIAL AND METHODS. In the first part, posterior and anterior rhinomanometry have been compared in a study of 32 volunteers. The disadvantages of posterior rhinomanometry have been apparent because of inconsistent statistic results. To compare both methods is useful in cooperative patients for the diagnosis of postnasal pathological alterations. By analyzing the rhinomanometric databases of 5 hospitals in 10,033 untreated patients and in 8,246 patients after decongestion, the total nasal resistance could be determined.

RESULTS. Because only the logarithmic values for effective and vertex resistances are correlated with the sensing of obstruction, these values have been used to classify the total obstruction in 5 classes. The descriptive data of every class are given. The here-described classes are valid for Caucasian noses. The calculated data can be delivered on request by the authors.

CONCLUSION. The here-presented parameters for measuring the resistance of the nasal airway and the classification of the obstruction from a statistically representative material can be recommended for the daily practice in rhinology and rhinosurgery.