Effect of craniofacial morphology on rhinospirometer and rhinomanometry

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of craniofacial morphology on nasal respiratory function. Methods 46 subjects were divided into 3 groups by the craniofacial morphology, including skeletal Class Ⅰ group(n=18), skeletal Class Ⅱ group(n=14) and skeletal Class Ⅲ group(n=14). Cephalometric analysis, rhinospirometer and rhinomanometry were used to investigate the respiratory function difference between 3 groups. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship of nasal respiratory function and craniofacial morphology. Results The difference of dominant lateral inspiratory capacity(P=0.003) between the 3 groups was statistically significant. In the comparison of each 2 groups, the difference between skeletal Class Ⅰ group [-0.82(-1.23, -0.56) L] and skeletal Class Ⅲ group [-1.44(-1.83, -1.28) L] was statistically significant (P=0.001). No significant difference was found between skeletal Class Ⅰ group and skeletal Class Ⅱ group. And No significant difference was found between skeletal Class Ⅱ group and skeletal Class Ⅲ group either. The difference of inspiratory nasal partitioning ratio (iNPR) (P=0.003) and 150 Pa bilateral nasal resistance(P=0.036) between the 3 groups was statistically significant. The difference was also shown in the skeletal Class Ⅰ group and skeletal Class Ⅲ group. In the correlation analysis, the nasal respiratory function indexes were mainly related to the vertical bony index. Dominant lateral expiration capacity and 150 Pa nasal expiratory resistance was related to MP-SN(r=-0.337, P=0.022; r=0.512, P=0.018)and MP-FH(r=-0.401, P=0.006; r=0.596, P=0.004). 150 Pa nasal inspiratory resistance was related to MP-FH(r=0.552, P=0.009). Conclusions Craniofacial morphology may have effects on nasal respiratory function. Key words: Craniofacial structures; Rhinospirometer; Rhinomanometry