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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Nasal Brushing Sampling and Processing Using Digital High Speed Ciliary Videomicroscopy – Adaptation for the COVID-19 Pandemic
Published on: November 7, 2020
Video-endoscopy and digital image analysis of the nasal valve area
Tilman Keck1, Richard Leiacker, Stephan Kühnemann
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ulm, Frauensteige 12, 89075, Ulm, Germany. tilman.keck@uniklinik-ulm.de
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of digital image analysis of video-endoscopic images of the valve area to study changes in cross-sections of the nasal valve area before and after nasal surgery. Fifty patients scheduled for septoplasty or septorhinoplasty were included. Successful recordings of the valve area and digitally calculated cross-sections of the nasal valve area served as main outcome measures. First, various endoscopes (rigid 0 degrees - and 25 degrees -endoscopes and fibreoptic 0 degrees -endoscope) were tested and video-endoscopy was standardised in 39 patients. Second, preoperative and postoperative images of the nasal valve area in 11 patients with obstruction of the nasal valve area were digitally analysed and compared. In these patients, a significant widening of the valve area could be shown postoperatively. We conclude that digital image analysis of the nasal valve area can be helpful in the measurement of cross-sections of the nasal valve area before and after nasal surgical procedures in selected patients.

