Acoustic rhinometry in nasal provocation test in perennial allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Acoustic rhinometry is one method to evaluate nasal geometry by an acoustic reflection technique. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in acoustic rhinometry after nasal provocation in patients with exclusively perennial allergic rhinitis. In 19 patients, acoustic rhinometry and active anterior rhinomanometry were performed before and after nasal provocation test. There was a statistically significant nasal flow reduction measured by active anterior rhinomanometry after nasal provocation (p < 0.05) and a median symptom score of four points, both indicating a positive response to nasal provocation. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant change in the values of acoustic rhinometry after nasal provocation (p > 0.05). In patients with exclusively perennial allergic rhinitis, acoustic rhinometry does not seem to significantly change after nasal provocation. In contrast, active anterior rhinomanometry values decreased significantly after nasal provocation. The presented results indicate that acoustic rhinometry does not seem to be a diagnostic method superior to active anterior rhinomanometry in this context.