Correlation between Pressure Sensitivity of Nasal Mucosa and Experimentally Induced Nasal Stuffiness in Healthy Adults

Abstract

Background and ObjectivesZZThe correlation between subjective nasal obstruction symptom and minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) of nasal cavity is uncertain. Some chemicals change subjective nasal obstruction symptoms without changing MCA. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between the tactile pressure sense of nasal mucosa and the nasal obstruction symptom. Subjects and MethodZZFrom 30 healthy adult volunteers, sensitivity to pressure change (P-sensitivity) and sensitivity to MCA change (A-sensitivity) were measured for each side of the nose, respectively. P-sensitivity was obtained as the slope of the regression line which was defined as the change of visual analog scale (VAS) score of the subjective nasal pressure sense divided by the change of inflated intranasal balloon pressure. A-sensitivity was obtained as the slope of the regression line which was defined as the change of VAS score of nasal obstruc tion divided by the change of MCA measured with acoustic rhinometry in experimentally narrowed or blocked nose using pieces of sponge. ResultsZZThere was a strong correlation between P-sensitivity and A-sensitivity. In each volunteer, P-sensitivity or A-sensitivity of one side nose was well correlated with those of the opposite side, respectively. ConclusionZZBoth P-sensitivity and A-sensitivity of human nose vary from person to person, but they have a strong correlation with each other. Nasal obstruction symptom can be influ enced by change of general somatic sense of nasal mucosa. � Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2011;54:623-8 Key WordsZZAcoustic rhinometry ㆍNasal obstruction ㆍSensation.