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Otorinolaringologia 2007 September;57(3):157-69

Copyright © 2007 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Diagnostic tools for nasal respiratory function

Mlynski G. ¹, Wuestenberg E. G. ², Beule A. ¹

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany 2 Department Medical and regulatory Affairs, ALK-SCHERAX Arzneimittel GmbH, Wedel, Germany

Diagnostic tools for respiratory function are not widely employed in rhinology. One possible reason is the limited clinical value of the classic rhinomanometric measurement. In recent years, new diagnostic tools like acoustic rhinometry, rhinoresistometry, long term-rhinoflowmetry and optical rhinometry have been developed. They provide the possibilities to obtain new parameters of respiratory function using different approaches and especially if combined they provide more complete pictures of nasal respiratory function. Clinical relevance to diagnose nasal obstruction and to detect effects of the nasal cycle will be demonstrated. To assess changes of nasal congestion objectively, optical and acoustic rhinometry are recommended.