Methods for standardization of nasal mucosa decongestion in man

As physical exercise has been shown to reduce nasal breathing resistance, the effect of physical exercise on the nasal mucosa congestion was studied, using rhinostereometry, an optical measurement method. Submaximal physical exercise as well as oximetazolinechloride sprayed into the nose, caused mucosal decongestion but the stimuli were not strong enough invariably to produce maximal mucosal decongestion as studied in 16 volunteers at repeated tests. Maximal physical exercise as well as oximetazolinechloride applied to the mucosa on a soaked piece of cottonwool, caused a considerable (0.5-4.1 mm) decongestion. Furthermore, in each of the 8 studied volunteers the final position of the mucosal surface was the same in repeated tests. Thus, this mucosal surface position can be considered as the state of maximal decongestion and can in physiological and pharmacological studies be used as reference position.