Inhaled nasopharyngeal nitric oxide concentrations during unilateral nostril breathing – a pilot study

Abstract Objective: To assess the influence unilateral nostril breathing has on mean inhaled nasopharyngeal nitric oxide (NO) concentrations compared with unobstructed bilateral nostril breathing in individuals demonstrating a nasal cycle.Methods: After determining the patent and congested nasal sides in healthy adult volunteers (N=10), and sampling air at both nostrils, a small diameter gas sampling tube was passed along the floor of the nose into the volunteer's patent nostril, until it was stationed in the nasopharynx. Nasopharyngeal NO concentrations were then assessed during normal nasal at-rest tidal breathing during three different nasal breathing states: first both nostrils, then allocated in randomised order, patent side only, and congested side only.Results: Nasopharyngeal NO concentrations were consistently higher on both exhalation and inhalation during unilateral congested side nostril breathing, when compared with unilateral patent side nostril breathing, and breathing through both nostrils.Conclusions: During unilateral nostril breathing, inhaled nasopharyngeal NO concentrations are consistently higher on the congested side of the nose.

Download Full-text

Assessing nasal obstruction with the nasal acoustic device: a pilot study on distinguishing between subjects with and without chronic rhinosinusitis

10.1101/631499 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Chia-Hung Li ◽

Calvin Tan ◽

Katherine L. Whitcroft ◽

Peter Andrews ◽

Terence S. Leung

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Chronic Rhinosinusitis ◽

Diagnostic Value ◽

Nasal Breathing ◽

Nasal Cycle ◽

Nasal Decongestants ◽

Nasal Inspiratory Peak Flow ◽

Before And After ◽

Acoustic Device ◽

Sensitivity Specificity

AbstractThis article aims to demonstrate the concept and potential of a novel diagnostic device – the nasal acoustic device (NAD), which captures the nasal breathing sounds over the ala on both sides of the nose. Using the newly defined inspiratory nasal acoustic score (INA score), the unique characteristics of the nasal breathing sounds can be quantified and used for diagnostic purposes.In this pilot study, the NAD was compared with the well-established nasal inspiratory peak flow meter (NIPF) to try to distinguish between subjects with and without chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Measurements were made before and after nasal decongestants, which were applied to eliminate the nasal cycle. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of CRS, irrespective of other pathological conditions being present.Based on the post-decongestant measurements, the sensitivity/specificity in distinguishing subjects who have CRS (n=11) from subjects who do not (n=29; of whom 13 were controls) were 70%/66% for the NIPF and 82%/79% for the NAD. The non-CRS groups showed statistically significant changes after decongestant for both methods, but the CRS group did not. The results firstly demonstrated that the CRS subjects in this cohort tended to be less responsive to decongestant and therefore the post-decongestant NIPF measurements provided a certain degree of diagnostic value in identifying CRS subjects, but it would appear the NAD better captured the unique sounds associated with CRS, providing a superior diagnostic capability. This study also demonstrates that the NAD can measure the improvement in the nasal airway following treatment effect.

Download Full-text

Normative standards for nasal cross-sectional areas by race as measured by acoustic rhinometry

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1016/s0194-5998(98)70085-3 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 119 (4) ◽

pp. 389-393 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

Jacquelynne P. Corey ◽

Anil Gungor ◽

Xiling Liu ◽

Robert Nelson ◽

Jeffrey Fredberg

Keyword(s):

Normative Data ◽

Healthy Adult ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Acoustic Rhinometry ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Nasal Cycle ◽

Before And After ◽

Racial Ethnic ◽

Adult Volunteers

Acoustic rhinometry evaluates the geometry of the nasal cavity with acoustic reflections and provides information about nasal cross-sectional area and nasal volume within a given distance. Variations in internal nasal diameters have attracted increased interest since the advent of endoscopic surgical techniques. Race is known to be one of the most important factors affecting the nasal structure. In this study, we evaluated 106 healthy adult volunteers with acoustic rhinometry to determine internal nasal diameters and volumes and obtained normative data for four racial/ethnic groups. The data were analyzed with regard to race, sex, height, and weight. All measurements were made before and after the application of a topical nasal decongestant so that the effects of the nasal cycle were eliminated by decongestion.

Download Full-text