Measurement of nasal patency using a Vitalograph

Abstract

Summary A standard Vitalograph was used to measure the volume or air inspired through the mouth (M‐FIV0.5) and nose (N‐FIV0.5) in 0.5 sec. The ratio or these parameters was used as a nasal patency index (NPI) and the characteristics of NPI and N‐FIV0.5 investigated in terms of reproducibility and sensitivity. Both indices were significantly reduced by intranasal histamine (100μg and 200 μg) and it is concluded that NPI and N‐FIV0.5 are reproducible and sensitive indices of nasal patency.

Clinical Investigation of Allergic Rhinitis and Allied Conditions

“…An inexpensive peak flow meter (46) or a vitalograph (13), equipped with an anaesthetic face mask for nasal breathing have been proposed as objective and quantitative measures of blockage following nasal allergen provocation. Rhinomanometry is a more reliable method (26), and is therefore preferable for research purposes, but the procedure is rather laborious and the equipment expensive.…”

Non‐invasive Assessment and Symptomatic Improvement of the Obstructed Nose (NASION): a physiology‐based patient‐centred approach to treatment selection and outcomes assessment in nasal obstruction

“…These characteristic changes in loop morphology can be used diagnostically in the same way they have been used to diagnose and characterise laryngotracheal stenosis . The idea of adapting spirometry to assess nasal patency has been proposed as far back as 1970s . Baum and colleagues later used flow‐volume loops to quantify the response of the nasal mucosa to intranasal corticosteroid therapy,and Meissner and colleagues demonstrated the existence of characteristic nasal flow‐volume loop patterns suggestive of fixed and inspiratory airflow obstruction and showed that in patients with inspiratory nasal obstruction, strengthening the sidewall of the nose caused an improvement in inspiratory but not expiratory nasal airflow …”

Rhinomanometry – A Review

“…Davies [1978] provides an example of this technique, with the help of a vitalograph. During forced inspiration through the nose (N-FIV05) and the mouth (M-FIV05) the maximum inspiratory vol ume is measured during the first half sec ond.…”