Long-term rhinoflowmetry to study the nasal cycle in patients with a nasal flow obstruction

Introduction The nasal cycle (NC) is considered to be a reciprocal swelling of the nasal mucosa, but the NC is much more complex to understand. Long-term rhinoflowmetry (LRFM) allows recording of nasal flow over 24h under real everyday conditions. The aim of this study was to use LRFM for the first time to investigate the NC in a patient population with nasal flow obstruction.

Material and methods 38 patients were recruited (Ø age 34 years). All subjects suffered from a deviated septum or nasal polyps. Flow recording was done with a mobile LRFM tool (Rhino-Move©) over 24h. An activity log was kept.

Results The "classical" NC could be registered in 71% at least once in 24h. However, none of them showed this cycle type in its pure form. Different types of cycles were present in the majority (“mixed” type). The "classic" type was most evident during physical rest and sleep. Physical activity often showed an "in concert" type. Overall, the NC was most often a "mixed" type with 87%. The subjects with nasal flow obstruction showed a "classic" NC less often compared to a healthy control group (n=55). The mean phase duration ranged from 30 to 700 minutes.

Conclusion Nasal flow obstructions seem to have a relevant influence on the occurrence of a "classic" NC type as a phase. There is generally a large variability of mixed cycle types. The NC is an inter- and intraindividual highly variable phenomenon that can be influenced by many external factors.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
12. Mai 2023