Rhinoresistometry versus rhinomanometry--an evaluation

Allergic nasal hyperreactivity is a common problem and many patients suffer from daily symptoms. Rhinomanometry is so far the only well established clinical method for objective assessment of nasal patency, although several expressions of nasal patency have been reported. Universal standardisation was achieved in 1983 in Brussels by Clement et al. [1], but many specialists are looking for a system giving more information on the functional aspects of the nose. A new development arising from active anterior rhinomanometry is rhinoresistometry. We tested this equipment, which has been introduced with new software for calculation and graphic presentation. 24 adult volunteers with proven allergy to grass pollen were examined immediately after long-term challenge in the Vienna Challenge Chamber [3] and 15 minutes after decongestion by application of 5% ephedrine solution. The similarity and differences between rhinomanometry and rhinoresistometry, as well as the value of the additional parameters are pointed out. Our data indicate that rhinoresistometry is a rapid, reproducible and non-invasive technique, which gives extended information in comparison to classic rhinomanometry. The results correlate very well with the findings obtained by the standard method. This pilot study demonstrates the benefit of the new parameters.