The applicability of rhinomanometry in nonatopic children: comparison of three techniques

Three techniques for rhinomanometry were evaluated in 10 nonatopic children. Each child performed anterior, posterior, and forced oscillation rhinomanometry during 2 to 5 hr. Nasal airflow and transnasal driving pressure were measured continuously over several breaths. From the nasal airflow-pressure tracings, nasal airway resistance (Rn) was determined at a linear and a turbulent airflow. Individual average Rn values at linear airflow ranged from 1.0 to 5.4 cm H2O sec/L and at turbulent airflow from 1.5 to 7.6 cm H2O sec/L. There was no significant difference between the means on the log, scale of the individual average Rn measurements obtained by the conventional rhinomanometric techniques. Posterior and forced oscillation rhinomanometry exhibited a higher intrasubject variation in Rn than anterior rhinomanometry. In assessing performance, anterior rhinomanometry was the easiest method for the children to do. Two children despite multiple training sessions were unable to perform posterior or forced oscillation rhinomanometry. These findings indicate that anterior rhinomanometry is the easiest method for use in children.