Effects of Size of the Nasal Airway on Nasal Airflow Rate

Abstract

\s=b\The controversy concerning the effects of nasal airway impairment on facial growth has stimulated renewed interest in upper airway respiratory function. We assessed the relationship between nasal airway patency and nasal airflow rate, using the pressure-flow technique to estimate nasal cross-sectional size and nasal airflow rate in 30 normal and 82 nasally impaired adults. Groups were categorized according to otolaryngologic examination results and pressureflow measurements. The results clearly demonstrate that size of the airway influences airflow rate when the smallest nasal cross-sectional area is under 0.4 cm2. The data suggest that the nose becomes flow-limiting when it is less than 0.18 cm2. These data support our contention that nasal airway impairment in adults occurs when the airway is less than 0.4 cm2 in size. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1987;113:405-408) There have been many attempts to establish a causal relationship between dentofacial deformities and nasal airway inadequacy. The most prevalent view has been that "mouth breathing" resulting from an inade-

Narrowed Posterior Nasal Airway Limits Efficacy of Anterior Septoplasty

“…They also estimated that the nose becomes flow limited when the area <0.18 cm 2 . 30 This study confirms and expands on these findings by demonstrating that the relationship between R and mCSA is influenced by the area in the postvalve region.…”

“…After validating their technique with experiments in cylindrical tubes, Warren and coauthors applied it to normal subjects and patients with impaired nasal breathing. 26,29,30 They reported an inverse relationship between resistance and area such that airway area has a much greater effect on nasal resistance when the area is <0.4 cm 2 . They also estimated that the nose becomes flow limited when the area <0.18 cm 2 .…”

Narrowed Posterior Nasal Airway Limits Efficacy of Anterior Septoplasty

“…They also estimated that the nose becomes flow limited when the area <0.18 cm 2 . 30 This study confirms and expands on these findings by demonstrating that the relationship between R and mCSA is influenced by the area in the postvalve region.…”

“…After validating their technique with experiments in cylindrical tubes, Warren and coauthors applied it to normal subjects and patients with impaired nasal breathing. 26,29,30 They reported an inverse relationship between resistance and area such that airway area has a much greater effect on nasal resistance when the area is <0.4 cm 2 . They also estimated that the nose becomes flow limited when the area <0.18 cm 2 .…”

Effects of Age, Body Mass Index, and Gender on Nasal Airflow Rate and Pressures

“…The mean nasal airflow rate for this study population was 430 mL/s, close to the mean found for healthy adults previously 12,13 . However, Warren et al 14 reported a mean nasal airflow rate of 659 mL/s for unobstructed airways in adults. The difference between these studies may be due to the fact that in the study of Warren et al the subjects included only those with unobstructed nasal airway corresponding to nasal cross‐sectional area greater than or equal to 0.4 cm 2 .…”

Velopharyngeal Function in Cleft Patients Undergoing Maxillary Advancement

“…In the present study the mean preop erative NASA was 39 mm2, which has been noted to be associated with symptoms of nasal breathing difficulties [ 18], The final postoper ative measure was normal and this is probably the reason why some of the subjects reported improvement in their nasal breathing. Nasal breathing difficulties were subjectively evi dent in 3/8 patients and 6 of the 8 patients also had hyponasal voice quality.…”

“…The mean NASA value increased from ab normally small orifice area to low normal val ues [18]. In the present study the mean preop erative NASA was 39 mm2, which has been noted to be associated with symptoms of nasal breathing difficulties [ 18], The final postoper ative measure was normal and this is probably the reason why some of the subjects reported improvement in their nasal breathing.…”

Narrowed Posterior Nasal Airway Limits Efficacy of Anterior Septoplasty

“…They also estimated that the nose becomes flow limited when the area <0.18 cm 2 . 30 This study confirms and expands on these findings by demonstrating that the relationship between R and mCSA is influenced by the area in the postvalve region.…”

“…After validating their technique with experiments in cylindrical tubes, Warren and coauthors applied it to normal subjects and patients with impaired nasal breathing. 26,29,30 They reported an inverse relationship between resistance and area such that airway area has a much greater effect on nasal resistance when the area is <0.4 cm 2 . They also estimated that the nose becomes flow limited when the area <0.18 cm 2 .…”

Effects of Age, Body Mass Index, and Gender on Nasal Airflow Rate and Pressures

“…The mean nasal airflow rate for this study population was 430 mL/s, close to the mean found for healthy adults previously 12,13 . However, Warren et al 14 reported a mean nasal airflow rate of 659 mL/s for unobstructed airways in adults. The difference between these studies may be due to the fact that in the study of Warren et al the subjects included only those with unobstructed nasal airway corresponding to nasal cross‐sectional area greater than or equal to 0.4 cm 2 .…”

Velopharyngeal Function in Cleft Patients Undergoing Maxillary Advancement

“…In the present study the mean preop erative NASA was 39 mm2, which has been noted to be associated with symptoms of nasal breathing difficulties [ 18], The final postoper ative measure was normal and this is probably the reason why some of the subjects reported improvement in their nasal breathing. Nasal breathing difficulties were subjectively evi dent in 3/8 patients and 6 of the 8 patients also had hyponasal voice quality.…”

“…The mean NASA value increased from ab normally small orifice area to low normal val ues [18]. In the present study the mean preop erative NASA was 39 mm2, which has been noted to be associated with symptoms of nasal breathing difficulties [ 18], The final postoper ative measure was normal and this is probably the reason why some of the subjects reported improvement in their nasal breathing.…”

Narrowed Posterior Nasal Airway Limits Efficacy of Anterior Septoplasty

“…They also estimated that the nose becomes flow limited when the area <0.18 cm 2 . 30 This study confirms and expands on these findings by demonstrating that the relationship between R and mCSA is influenced by the area in the postvalve region.…”

“…After validating their technique with experiments in cylindrical tubes, Warren and coauthors applied it to normal subjects and patients with impaired nasal breathing. 26,29,30 They reported an inverse relationship between resistance and area such that airway area has a much greater effect on nasal resistance when the area is <0.4 cm 2 . They also estimated that the nose becomes flow limited when the area <0.18 cm 2 .…”

Effects of Age, Body Mass Index, and Gender on Nasal Airflow Rate and Pressures

“…The mean nasal airflow rate for this study population was 430 mL/s, close to the mean found for healthy adults previously 12,13 . However, Warren et al 14 reported a mean nasal airflow rate of 659 mL/s for unobstructed airways in adults. The difference between these studies may be due to the fact that in the study of Warren et al the subjects included only those with unobstructed nasal airway corresponding to nasal cross‐sectional area greater than or equal to 0.4 cm 2 .…”

Velopharyngeal Function in Cleft Patients Undergoing Maxillary Advancement

“…In the present study the mean preop erative NASA was 39 mm2, which has been noted to be associated with symptoms of nasal breathing difficulties [ 18], The final postoper ative measure was normal and this is probably the reason why some of the subjects reported improvement in their nasal breathing. Nasal breathing difficulties were subjectively evi dent in 3/8 patients and 6 of the 8 patients also had hyponasal voice quality.…”

“…The mean NASA value increased from ab normally small orifice area to low normal val ues [18]. In the present study the mean preop erative NASA was 39 mm2, which has been noted to be associated with symptoms of nasal breathing difficulties [ 18], The final postoper ative measure was normal and this is probably the reason why some of the subjects reported improvement in their nasal breathing.…”