Current Advances in the Objective Assessment of Nasal Patency

Abstract

Rhinomanometry, usually expressed as nasal resistance, is one of the useful methods for evaluating nasal patency objectively. International and Japanese standardization committees have held discussions in order to establish the beneficial methods, equipment, expressions, valuable evaluating points, and so on. In Japan, the current recommended Japanese standard involves active anterior rhinomanometry with a nasal nozzle, devices authorized by the JIS, measurement in the sitting position, 15 min. rest before measurement, and employing nasal resistance at ΔP100Pa, and has revealed the average value for nasal resistance in Japanese normal adults as 0.25 Pa/cm³/s. The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and nasal patency, the averaged value of nasal resistance in children, the standardized provocation methods and evaluation, the relationship between rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry, and, objective and subjective nasal patency are important themes for either international and Japanese subjects. Furthermore the diverse application of rhinomanometry can be anticipated.