Rhinomanometry

Breathing is essential for survival.

A doctor may diagnose you with nasal obstruction based on your subjective account of nasal stuffiness and a limited physical examination demonstrating anatomic restriction of the nasal passages. Rhinomanometry is an objective test that measures nasal airway obstruction.

There are many causes of nasal obstruction:

Allergic rhinitis with turbinate hypertrophy
Anatomical nasal septum deviation, bone spur, or conchae bullosa
Sinus or nasal infection
Narrow palate

Rhinomanometry

Rhinomanometry provides a quantitative measure of nasal airway resistance. It involves the measurement of nasal airflow and the pressure gradient required to achieve that flow, from which we can calculate nasal airway resistance.

Rhinomanometry has many clinical uses. As an example, individuals are often recommended nasal surgery without objective confirmation of genuine mechanical obstruction. Measuring nasal obstruction using rhinomanometry before nasal surgery is vital because individuals with preoperative higher nasal resistances are more likely to benefit from the surgery.

Rhinomanometry Uses

Sleep Apnea

Investigate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) intolerance due to high nasal resistance

OTC Allergy Treatment

Evaluate the decongestive action of antihistamines, corticosteroids, or nasal saline rinse

Rx Allergy Treatment

Evaluate allergy immunotherapy or antibiotic therapy efficacy

Children

Evaluate tonsil hypertrophy in children

Pre-Surgery

Individuals with preoperative high nasal resistances are likely to benefit from nasal surgery.

Post-Surgery

Individuals with postoperative low nasal resistances are likely to have benefitted from nasal surgery.

Rhinomanometry Examples

Visual guidance suggests whether airway resistance is within the normal, moderately obstructed, significantly obstructed, or severely obstructed range.

Child with High Left and Right Nasal Resistance

High Right Left Nasal Resistance — High Right>Left Nasal Resistance