Evaluation of children nasal geometry, employing accoustic rhinometry.

UNLABELLED

The area above the nasal cavity plays a role in respiratory physiology.

AIM

To analyze, during a period of growth, a possible change in the minimum cross sectional area (MCA) and nasal volume of the anterior nasal cavity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated 29 children (14 boys and 15 girls) with a mean age of 7.81 years at first examination (M1) and 11.27 years in the second examination (M2), without symptoms of nasal obstruction. The interval between examinations was 36-48 months. Children were subjected to the examination of acoustic rhinometry in which we recorded the minimum cross-sectional areas, volumes and their correlations with gender.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort.

RESULTS

The mean cross-sectional area of the nasal cavity of MCA for girls was 0.30 +/- 0.09 cm2 (M1) and 0.30 +/- 0.14 cm2 (M2), while for boys was 0.24 +/- 0.12 cm2 (M1) and 0.32 +/- 0.10 cm2 (M2). The mean values of the total volumes found for the whole sample were 2.17 +/- 0.23 cm3 (MCA1-M1), 2.56 +/- 0.27 cm3 (MCA1-M2), 4.24 +/- 1.17 cm3 (MCA2- M2) and 4.63 +/- 1.10 cm3 (MCA2-M2).

CONCLUSION

There was no significant change in the minimum cross sectional area of the anterior nasal cavity. There was no significant difference between genders for both MCA and for the volume. There was a significant increase in MCA1.