Clinical evaluation of nasal obstruction. A study of 1,000 patients.

Nasal airway resistance was evaluated in 1,000 patients who were seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1971 and 1977 for rhinologic complaints. Nasal obstruction was reported as the major symptom in 863 patients. Nasal airway resistance correlated well with the side and the severity of the obstructive symptoms. Symptoms of nasal obstruction typically occurred with a total nasal resistance greater than 3 cm H2O/L/s. Rhinoscopic evidence of nasal deformity could not be used to predict an increase in nasal resistance since many patients with rhinoscopically abnormal noses had "normal" nasal resistances. We conclude that the calculation of nasal airway resistance is a useful technique in the clinical evaluation of nasal obstruction. Nasal airway resistance data provide objective values that can substantiate and quantitate the symptoms of nasal obstruction.