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Correlation between nasal mucosal temperature change and the perception of nasal patency: a literature review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2021

R Tjahjono  and
N Singh
R Tjahjono*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia
N Singh
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Australia
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Richard Tjahjono, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia E-mail: richardtjahjono@gmail.com Fax: +61 8890 9852
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Abstract

Background

The mechanism of nasal airflow sensation is poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the role of nasal mucosal temperature change in the subjective perception of nasal patency and the methods by which it can be quantified.

Method

Medline and PubMed database searches were performed to retrieve literature relevant to the topic.

Results

The primary mechanism producing the sensation of nasal patency is thought to be the activation of transient receptor potential melastatin family member 8 (‘TRPM8’), a thermoreceptor that is activated by nasal mucosal cooling. Computational fluid dynamics studies have demonstrated that increased airflow and heat flux are correlated with better patient-reported outcome measure scores. Similarly, physical measurements of the nasal cavity using temperature probes have shown a correlation between lower nasal mucosal temperatures and better patient-reported outcome measure scores.

Conclusion

Nasal mucosal temperature change may be correlated with the perception of improved nasal patency. Future research should quantify the impact of mucosal cooling on the perception of nasal airway obstruction.

Keywords

Nasal ObstructionflowThermoreceptorsTemperatureFluid Dynamics

Information

Type
Review Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 135 , Issue 2 , February 2021 , pp. 104 - 109
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Dr R Tjahjono takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

Paper presented at the New Zealand Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 72nd Annual Scientific Meeting, 18 October 2019, Dunedin, New Zealand.

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