Hans J Welkoborsky1,2, Christina Rose-Diekmann3,4, Anja Pähler Vor der Holte3,4, Hagen Ott5. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Nordstadt-Clinic, Academic Hospital, Haltenhoffstr. 41, 30167, Hannover, Germany. welkohno.hanno@t-online.de. 2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Children's Hospital Auf der Bult, Academic Hospital, Hannover, Germany. welkohno.hanno@t-online.de. 3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Nordstadt-Clinic, Academic Hospital, Haltenhoffstr. 41, 30167, Hannover, Germany. 4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Children's Hospital Auf der Bult, Academic Hospital, Hannover, Germany. 5. Department of Pediatric Allergology, Children's Hospital Auf der Bult, Academic Hospital, Hannover, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nasal obstruction is a frequent symptom in both adults and children and it is a common reason to see an otorhinolaryngologist. Endoscopy of the nasal cavity and the epipharyngeal space along with anterior rhinomanometry is regarded the gold standard since many years to estimate the severity of nasal obstruction in the particular patient. Endoscopy shows anatomical reasons for an obstruction, whereas the nasal flow volume and nasal resistance can be determined using anterior rhinomanometry. Currently, there are only few data available for rhinomanometry results in children. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the application of this technique in the pediatric population for objective evaluation of nasal flow. Whether it achieves reproducible results and which clinical parameters have some influence on the results were studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 427 children (average age of 8.5 years, range 7 months through 17 years) who were admitted to evaluate nasal patency or for allergy testing were examined. After clinical examination and endoscopy of the nasal cavity and epipharyngeal space, anterior rhinomanometry was performed before and after application of decongestant nose drops separately for each nose side in 334 children. The nasal flow with a pressure of 150 Pasc was measured and served for statistical evaluation. Flow values were correlated to clinical and endoscopic parameters along with results of allergy tests (prick tests). RESULTS: Reproducible rhinomanometric measurements were possible in children age 3 years and older. However, the standard deviation and variation of measurements were significant in this cohort of patients. Statistically highest significant correlations were found between flow measurements and body height along with the age of the children (p < 0.01) and status following adenoidectomy (p < 0.05). No statistically significant correlations were found between rhinomanometry and results of prick tests. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that rhinomanometry can be applied in the pediatric population for objective evaluation of nasal obstruction and for determining the effects of decongestant nose drops. The highest correlation was found between nasal flow and children's body height, children's age and status following adenoidectomy. The correlation between nasal flow and clinically/endoscopically determined degree of nasal obstruction was lower. However, definition of normal flow values for particular age groups is challenging since the results showed high variation and standard deviation. Yet with regard to individual patient, the technique achieves reliable results in nasal provocation tests, which are widely used for allergy testing in children. When performed in children it should always be considered that there are age-specific requirements for the examination and interpretation of results in this patient cohort.
BACKGROUND: Nasal obstruction is a frequent symptom in both adults and children and it is a common reason to see an otorhinolaryngologist. Endoscopy of the nasal cavity and the epipharyngeal space along with anterior rhinomanometry is regarded the gold standard since many years to estimate the severity of nasal obstruction in the particular patient. Endoscopy shows anatomical reasons for an obstruction, whereas the nasal flow volume and nasal resistance can be determined using anterior rhinomanometry. Currently, there are only few data available for rhinomanometry results in children. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the application of this technique in the pediatric population for objective evaluation of nasal flow. Whether it achieves reproducible results and which clinical parameters have some influence on the results were studied. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 427 children (average age of 8.5 years, range 7 months through 17 years) who were admitted to evaluate nasal patency or for allergy testing were examined. After clinical examination and endoscopy of the nasal cavity and epipharyngeal space, anterior rhinomanometry was performed before and after application of decongestant nose drops separately for each nose side in 334 children. The nasal flow with a pressure of 150 Pasc was measured and served for statistical evaluation. Flow values were correlated to clinical and endoscopic parameters along with results of allergy tests (prick tests). RESULTS: Reproducible rhinomanometric measurements were possible in children age 3 years and older. However, the standard deviation and variation of measurements were significant in this cohort of patients. Statistically highest significant correlations were found between flow measurements and body height along with the age of the children (p < 0.01) and status following adenoidectomy (p < 0.05). No statistically significant correlations were found between rhinomanometry and results of prick tests. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that rhinomanometry can be applied in the pediatric population for objective evaluation of nasal obstruction and for determining the effects of decongestant nose drops. The highest correlation was found between nasal flow and children's body height, children's age and status following adenoidectomy. The correlation between nasal flow and clinically/endoscopically determined degree of nasal obstruction was lower. However, definition of normal flow values for particular age groups is challenging since the results showed high variation and standard deviation. Yet with regard to individual patient, the technique achieves reliable results in nasal provocation tests, which are widely used for allergy testing in children. When performed in children it should always be considered that there are age-specific requirements for the examination and interpretation of results in this patient cohort.
Authors: A M Zicari; G Magliulo; A Rugiano; G Ragusa; C Celani; M P Carbone; F Occasi; M Duse Journal: Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2011-12-29 Impact factor: 1.675
Authors: A M Zicari; A Rugiano; G Ragusa; V Savastano; S Bertin; T Vittori; M Duse Journal: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci Date: 2013-11 Impact factor: 3.507
Authors: E Moreddu; L Meister; C Philip-Alliez; J-M Triglia; M Medale; R Nicollas Journal: Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis Date: 2018-12-04 Impact factor: 2.080
Authors: Giovanna Cilluffo; Anna Maria Zicari; Giuliana Ferrante; Velia Malizia; Salvatore Fasola; Marzia Duse; Giovanna De Castro; Valentina De Vittori; Laura Schiavi; Giulia Brindisi; Paolo Petrelli; Stefania La Grutta Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Date: 2020-04-17 Impact factor: 4.615