Acoustic Rhinometry: Evaluation of Nasal Cavity Geometry by Acoustic Reflection

Journal of Applied Physiology, 1989

Authors: O. Hilberg, A. C. Jackson, D. L. Swift, and O. F. Pedersen

Conclusion: “The clinical cases in this study are examples of the applicability of acoustic reflection measurements in the nose. Tumors in the nasal cavity and the epipharynx can be diagnosed, and the treatment can be monitored in a much simpler and much less invasive way than by use of CT scans. It may be possible to diagnose and localize septum deviations and hypertrophia of the turbinates to facilitate surgical correction. The applicability seems wide. Testing for allergic afflictions would be an area of considerable interest. Investigation of the pharynx through the nose instead of through the mouth would be a possibility in sleeping disorders. It is concluded that the acoustic reflection technique produces highly accurate measurements of the nasal cavity geometry. The method seems very suitable for nasal measurements and is potentially useful for investigating physiological as well as pathological changes in the nose by this simple technique. It is easy to perform, is non-invasive, and requires no patient cooperation and thus can be applied even in infants [after further experimentation and modifications related to equipment size.”