Objective assessment of nasal resistance among electronic cigarette users

Background Electronic cigarettes have been a popular alternative to tobacco smoking. The effect of tobacco smoking on nasal airway resistance has been investigated before; however, the effect of the aerosol generated by electronic cigarettes is still unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of e-cigarettes on nasal airway resistance. Methods Sixty-one participants were recruited into a vapers group and a control group. The vapers group was instructed to smoke for 5 minutes, and their nasal resistance was measured pre-procedure and at 1 and 5 minutes post-procedure. The results were compared between both groups. Results Repeated measures analysis of variance demonstrated that vaping has no statistically significant effect on total nasal airway resistance. Conclusion Although the differences between both groups were not statistically significant overall, the vapers group showed a reduction in nasal airway resistance in the short term.

Total nasal airway resistance while sitting predicts airway collapse when lying down

BackgroundNasal obstruction when lying down is a common complaint in patients with chronic nasal obstruction, but rhinomanometry is typically performed in the sitting position. This study aimed to analyse whether adding rhinomanometry in a supine position is a useful examination.MethodA total of 41 patients with chronic nasal obstruction underwent rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry, sitting and supine, before and after decongestion, as well as an over-night polygraphy.ResultsTotal airway resistance was measurable in a supine position in 48 per cent (14 of 29) of the patients with total airway resistance of equal to or less than 0.3 Pa/cm3/second when sitting and in none (0 of 12) of the patients with total nasal airway resistance of more than 0.3 Pa/cm3/second when sitting. After decongestion, this increased to 83 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively.ConclusionIncreased nasal resistance when sitting predicts nasal breathing problems when supine. Rhinomanometry in a supine position should be performed to diagnose upper airway collapse when supine.

Assessment of nasal functions and their relationship with cholesteatoma formation in patients with unilateral chronic otitis media

ObjectivesTo evaluate the nasal functions of patients with unilateral chronic otitis media using rhinomanometry, comparing chronic otitis media sides with healthy sides, chronic otitis media patients with cholesteatoma and without cholesteatoma, and patients with healthy individuals.MethodsThis prospective study included 102 patients with unilateral chronic otitis media (48 with and 54 without cholesteatoma). The control group comprised 40 individuals without any ear or nasal pathologies. All patients underwent active anterior rhinomanometry to measure nasal airway resistance and a saccharin test to measure mucociliary transport times.ResultsThere were no significant differences in nasal airway resistance and mucociliary transport time between the chronic otitis media sides and unaffected sides in the 102 patients (p = 0.72 and p = 0.28, respectively), between the non-suppurative chronic otitis media patients (without cholesteatoma) and chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma patients (p > 0.05), or between the study and control groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionThe present study, with a larger sample size compared to previously published literature, supports the conclusion that unilateral nasal obstruction is unlikely to lead to chronic otitis media on the same side. The results also suggest that nasal functions do not contribute to the development of cholesteatoma.

Comparing the effectiveness of nasal dilator strips: does race play a role?

Background:Nasal dilator strips are thought to widen and stiffen the anterior nasal cavity, and thus improve symptoms of nasal obstruction. It is postulated that anthropomorphic differences in external nasal proportions between races may influence the effectiveness of such dilator strips.Methods:Caucasian and Asian subjects were compared. Nasal peak inspiratory flow, nasal airway resistance, minimum cross-sectional area and visual analogue scale measurements of nasal obstruction were recorded at baseline and following the application of two different dilator strips.Results:Nine Caucasian and six Asian subjects were recruited (n = 15). There was a significant difference between races in terms of nasal peak inspiratory flow improvements following nasal strip application (mean of 29.4 litres per minute in Caucasiansvs14.6 litres per minute in Asians;p = 0.04). Only Caucasians experienced a significant decrease in nasal airway resistance (median of 0.12 Pa/cm3/s;p < 0.01).Conclusion:Nasal peak inspiratory flow, minimum cross-sectional area and visual analogue scale values improved from baseline with strip application in both populations. Only Caucasians experienced significant nasal airway resistance improvement with strip application. Both cohorts experienced nasal peak inspiratory flow improvement, with Caucasians experiencing a significantly larger improvement.