Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2025

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber
Published on: March 3, 2023
Objective nasal airflow measures in relation to subjective nasal obstruction, trigeminal function, and olfaction in
A K Hernandez1, C Uhl2, A Haehner2
1Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines; Department of Otorhinolaryngology â€" Head and Neck Surgery, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Muntinlupa, Philippines.
Background:
This study aimed to determine how nasal airflow measures and trigeminal function vary among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) versus healthy controls and whether these measures are correlated with subjective nasal obstruction (SNO), olfactory function, and CRS control.
Methodology:
Participants included CRS patients and healthy controls. After a structured medical history, nasal airflow (peak nasal inspiratory flow [PNIF]; active anterior rhinomanometry [AAR]), trigeminal function (trigeminal lateralization test, CO2 sensitivity), and olfactory "Sniffin's Sticks" odor identification test) tests were performed. SNO ratings were also obtained.
Results:
Sixty-nine participants were included (37 men, 32 women, mean age 51 years). There was no significant difference for objective nasal airflow between patients and controls, but CRS patients had worse SNO, trigeminal function, and olfaction compared to controls. SNO, but not objective nasal airflow tests, was negatively correlated with CO2 sensitivity and odor identification.
Conclusion:
The perception of nasal obstruction does not only depend on nasal airflow, but may also be modulated by trigeminal function and other factors. Thus, the role of objective nasal airflow measures as a sole method of functional nasal obstruction assessment in CRS remains limited.
Related Concept Videos
Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract....
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
Administering Oxygen by Nasal Cannula
Nasal Cannulas
A nasal cannula is a lightweight tube split into two prongs placed in the nostrils,...
Epistaxis
Etiology
Possible causes of this condition include high blood pressure, trauma, low humidity, upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, foreign bodies, nasal inhalation of corticosteroids or illicit drugs, excessive use of decongestant nasal sprays, facial or nasal surgery, anatomic malformation, tumors, or systemic...

