RELATIVE METRIC INDICATORS OF THE UPPER AND LOWER PARTS OF THE INTERNAL NASAL VALVE LUMEN AND THEIR IMPACT ON NASAL RESPIRATORY AND OLFACTORY FUNCTIONS

Abstract

The aim of the article: To study the influence of absolute and relative metric indicators of the lumen of certain parts of the internal nasal valve on the effectiveness of olfactory and respiratory functions of the nasal cavity.
 Materials and methods: A comparison of the metric values of the internal nasal valve, air resistance and odor perception in 32 patients after septoplasty was performed, depending on the quality of life and complaints according to SNOT 22. Group 1 consisted of 22 patients who complained of subjective feelings of nasal insufficiency (SNOT 22 – 9-20 scores). Control group consisted of 10 patients who were satisfied with septoplasty results (SNOT 22 – 0-7 scores). Rhinomanometry was performed according to the PARM method, olfactometry was carried out using the Sniffin’ Sticks psychophysical tests, and planimetry on CT was performed in the RadiAnt DICOM Viewer 2022.1 program, using the closed polygon tool.
 Results: Significant differences in the relative values of the ratio of the upper part of the valve area to the lower part were observed between the two groups of patients. A significant difference in better odor perception was noted in group 2. It was 0.7±0.02 in patients of the control group, and 0.4±0.02 in patients of Group 1. Air resistance in the nasal cavity during unilateral rhinomanometry did not significantly differ (0.28±0.04 and 0.26±0.07 Pa/cm3/sec). The average score during olfactometry in patients of the control group was 11.4±0.13, in patients of Group 1 it was 8.8±0.2, which indicates the presence of hyposmia (p>0.05).
 Conclusions: The ratio of the areas of the upper and lower parts of the internal nasal valve does not affect the overall airway resistance in the nose, but it can disrupt the distribution of air between the nasal passages. When evaluating the results of septoplasty, in particular, if the patient is not satisfied with nasal breathing, it is important to pay attention to the ventilation of the upper parts of the nasal cavity. One of the markers of its impairment may be hyposmia.