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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: Ghanbari_MD@Tums.ac.ir
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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

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