Perception Of Nasal Obstruction Research Articles

Comparing Patient-Reported Outcomes with Computational Fluid Dynamics-Derived Nasal Airflow After Nasal Airway Surgery: Prioritizing the Patient's Perception of Nasal Obstruction.

Background: Some patients report persistent nasal obstruction after surgical treatment despite objective improvement. Objective: To compare patients' perceptions of nasal obstruction after surgery with objective nasal airflow as determined by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling: (1) Is perception driven by a more symptomatic side? (2) Can symptom improvement be predicted with CFD modeling? Methods: Pre/postoperative Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) and visual analog scale (VAS) score were collected for patients undergoing nasal obstruction surgery. Pre/postoperative computed tomography was used to generate patient-specific airway models for CFD simulation at 15 L/min resting inspiration. Results: Ten patients (22-53 years, seven men and three women) underwent septoplasty, turbinate reduction, and/or rhinoplasty. Postoperative NOSE was most correlated with postoperative VAS score from the "affected" side (R2 = 0.59, p < 0.01), and postoperative NOSE was strongly predicted by a two-parameter model using parameters only from the "affected" side (R2 = 0.84, adjusted R2 = 0.80, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The postoperative state of the initially "affected" side drives outcomes after nasal obstruction surgery. Surgeries should prioritize improving the "affected" side. A two-parameter model using the VAS and nasal airflow from only the "affected" side strongly predicts NOSE and is promising for the future using virtual planning to individualize procedures to optimize outcome.

Objective nasal airflow measures in relation to subjective nasal obstruction, trigeminal function, and olfaction in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

This study aimed to determine how nasal airflow measures and trigeminal function vary among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) versus healthy controls and whether these measures are correlated with subjective nasal obstruction (SNO), olfactory function, and CRS control. Participants included CRS patients and healthy controls. After a structured medical history, nasal airflow (peak nasal inspiratory flow [PNIF]; active anterior rhinomanometry [AAR]), trigeminal function (trigeminal lateralization test, CO2 sensitivity), and olfactory "Sniffin's Sticks" odor identification test) tests were performed. SNO ratings were also obtained. Sixty-nine participants were included (37 men, 32 women, mean age 51 years). There was no significant difference for objective nasal airflow between patients and controls, but CRS patients had worse SNO, trigeminal function, and olfaction compared to controls. SNO, but not objective nasal airflow tests, was negatively correlated with CO2 sensitivity and odor identification. The perception of nasal obstruction does not only depend on nasal airflow, but may also be modulated by trigeminal function and other factors. Thus, the role of objective nasal airflow measures as a sole method of functional nasal obstruction assessment in CRS remains limited.

Patient's Perception of Nasal Function and Cosmesis After Maxillomandibular Advancement for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Background: Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) remains one of the most effective surgeries for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but it can be difficult to manage nasal and midfacial esthetics for patients requiring significant maxillary advancement. Objective: To evaluate changes in the Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (SCHNOS) after the modified MMA approach. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on subjects undergoing MMA at a tertiary referral center from September 2020 to August 2021. Nasal function, cosmesis, and sleepiness were assessed perioperatively with the SCHNOS, visual analog scale for nasal function and cosmesis, and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). Objective polysomnography data were also investigated. Results: Thirty-one subjects met inclusion criteria. After MMA, SCHNOS-O (obstruction domain) improved from 44.38 ± 26.21 to 19.03 ± -4.75 (p < 0.001). The SCHNOS-C (cosmesis domain) improved significantly from 13.95 ± 19.32 to 5.27 ± 8.93 (p = 0.029). Specific items evaluating self-esteem, nasal straightness, and symmetry showed significant improvement (p = 0.006, 0.025, 0.044). The ESS also improved from 9.41 ± 6.11 to 3.26 ± 3.03 (p < 0.001), and it correlated with nasal obstruction scores. Conclusion: In this study, patients' perception of nasal obstruction and appearance improved after applying the nasal modifications to MMA described for OSA.

Results of radiofrequency ablation of inferior turbinate hypertrophy in allergic and non-allergic rhinitis patients

Objectives:For the treatment of the inferior turbinate hypertrophy that is unresponsive to medical treatment, turbinate surgery with radiofrequency is a widely used method. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of turbinate surgery with radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of turbinate hypertrophy, and compare the results of patients with allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis.Methods:A total of 59 consecutive patients aged 18–67 years (mean 37±13) who underwent radiofrequency ablation to the inferior turbinate at our tertiary care hospital from September 2017 to January 2018 were enrolled in this prospective nonrandomized clinical study. The patients with allergic rhinitis (n=23) were classed as group 1, and the patients with non-allergic rhinitis (n=36) were classed as group 2. Endoscopic nasal examination and an acoustic rhinometer were applied, and a standard 0–10 visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess nasal symptoms preoperatively and postoperatively at the third and sixth months.Results:The study found a significant reduction in nasal obstruction for both groups postoperatively. This reduction was higher in group 1. The decrease in nasal VAS scores for itching, rhinorrhea, and sneezing were statistically significant in group 1, whereas the decrease in nasal VAS scores for sneezing was significant in group 2.Conclusion:This study demonstrates that radiofrequency appears to be an effective and safe treatment option for inferior turbinate hypertrophy of patients with allergic rhinitis or non-allergic rhinitis. It also provides a better perception of all nasal symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis, and a better perception of nasal obstruction and sneezing in patients with non-allergic rhinitis.

Are measurements of peak nasal flow useful for evaluating nasal obstruction in patients with allergic rhinitis?

Background: Nasal obstruction is one of the most bothering allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms and there is a need for objective parameters to complement clinical evaluation due to blunted perception in many patients. In this study we compare measures of peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and peak nasal expiratory flow (PNEF) in patients with AR and in individuals without nasal symptoms and correlate them with the perception of nasal obstruction. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in 64 AR patients and 67 individuals without nasal symptoms aged between 16 and 50 years. All subjects had PNIF and PNEF measures and subjective evaluations of nasal obstruction were done through a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a symptoms questionnaire. Results: The results show a lower PNIF and PNEF in AR patients compared to controls. There was no correlation between VAS score and PNIF and PNEF. There was a weak inverse correlation between PNIF and symptoms score. Conclusion: Objective measures of nasal obstruction, especially PNIF, can give useful informations on aspects of the disease different from those obtained from the patient`s perception.

Are measurements of peak nasal flow useful for evaluating nasal obstruction in patients with allergic rhinitis?

Nasal obstruction is one of the most bothering allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms and there is a need for objective parameters to complement clinical evaluation due to blunted perception in many patients. In this study we compare measures of peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and peak nasal expiratory flow (PNEF) in patients with AR and in individuals without nasal symptoms and correlate them with the perception of nasal obstruction. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in 64 AR patients and 67 individuals without nasal symptoms aged between 16 and 50 years. All subjects had PNIF and PNEF measures and subjective evaluations of nasal obstruction were done through a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a symptoms questionnaire. The results show a lower PNIF and PNEF in AR patients compared to controls. There was no correlation between VAS score and PNIF and PNEF. There was a weak inverse correlation between PNIF and symptoms score. Objective measures of nasal obstruction, especially PNIF, can give useful informations on aspects of the disease dif- ferent from those obtained from the patient`s perception.

Objective measurements differ for perception of left and right nasal obstruction

Nasal obstruction is one of the most common sensation complaints of nasal disease in clinical practice. It is a subjective sensation of nasal airflow. Objective assessment of nasal patency and nasal physiology includes the use of rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry. The perception of nasal obstruction changes as the alternating of nasal airway resistance and nasal airflow. However, there were limited studies reported whether the perceptions of the left and right nostrils are similar. We examined the relationship between subjective and objective parameters of the nasal airway in the left and right nostrils. A prospective study of 101 patients with a deviated nasal septum and chronic hypertrophic rhinitis was conducted for subjective and objective nasal airway evaluation. Patients were then divided into three groups based on the visual analog scale. Associations between measures were evaluated with analysis of variance, f tests and simple regression. Among three patient groups with different subjective sensations of nasal obstruction, there were significant differences among three patient groups according to the objective measurements of airflow resistance on the right side (p=0.0002 for inspiration right mean resistance; p=0.0049 for expiration right mean resistance), and for the minimal cross-sectional area (p=0.030) and nasal cavity volume (p=0.028 for 0-3.3cm left nostril; p=0.047 for 2-4cm left nostril) on the left side. This indicates that nasal flow resistance is an important determinant for right side nasal obstruction. Nasal minimal cross-sectional area and nasal cavity volume are an important determinant for left side nasal obstruction. Our study indicates the important role of rhinomanometry in objective measurement of right side nasal obstruction and acoustic rhinometry in objective measurement of left side nasal obstruction. Thus, human perception of right and left nostrils may be different and requires further study.

Influence of Nasal Sponges on Patients’ Complaints after Nasal and Sinus Surgery

The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of nasal sponges on the subjective nasal well-being after nasal and sinus surgery. The study was designed as a randomized prospective clinical trial comparing four different types of sponges used as nasal passive humidifiers (NPHs). The 40 participants were blinded to the size and pore structure of the NPHs. The NPHs were applied in both nostrils for 1 hour on the 2nd postoperative day. Subjective nasal sensations were evaluated on a visual analog scale. Wearing comfort was rated as satisfactory. Intranasal humidity and feeling of a dry nose were rated as improved after wearing the NPHs. The use of NPHs may have a positive effect on the patients' perception of nasal obstruction and intranasal humidity. Additional investigations in patients with intranasal dryness are planned to improve patients' complaints.