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Total nasal airway resistance while sitting predicts airway collapse when lying down

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 October 2020

A Karlsson ,
M Persson ,
A-C Mjörnheim ,
G Gudnadottir  and
J Hellgren
A Karlsson
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
M Persson
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
A-C Mjörnheim
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
G Gudnadottir
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
J Hellgren*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Johan Hellgren, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gröna Stråket 9, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden E-mail: johan.hellgren@gu.se Fax: +46 3182 5679
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Abstract

Background

Nasal obstruction when lying down is a common complaint in patients with chronic nasal obstruction, but rhinomanometry is typically performed in the sitting position. This study aimed to analyse whether adding rhinomanometry in a supine position is a useful examination.

Method

A total of 41 patients with chronic nasal obstruction underwent rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry, sitting and supine, before and after decongestion, as well as an over-night polygraphy.

Results

Total airway resistance was measurable in a supine position in 48 per cent (14 of 29) of the patients with total airway resistance of equal to or less than 0.3 Pa/cm3/second when sitting and in none (0 of 12) of the patients with total nasal airway resistance of more than 0.3 Pa/cm3/second when sitting. After decongestion, this increased to 83 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively.

Conclusion

Increased nasal resistance when sitting predicts nasal breathing problems when supine. Rhinomanometry in a supine position should be performed to diagnose upper airway collapse when supine.

Keywords

Nasal ObstructionRhinomanometryAcoustic RhinometrySupine PositionDisease, Nose

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 134 , Issue 10 , October 2020 , pp. 917 - 924
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2020

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Footnotes

Dr J Hellgren takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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