Turbinate hypertrophy. Evaluation of the nasal cavity by acoustic rhinometry.

We used acoustic rhinometry to assess the geometry of the nasal cavity. The cross-sectional area of the nasal cavity as a function of distance from the nostrils was obtained. Seventeen patients with hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate and septal deviations were examined preoperatively and postoperatively; 34 normal subjects served as controls. The cross-sectional area at the anterior part of the nose suggested that skeletal hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate might be expected in the side opposite the main septal deviation. Unilateral inferior turbinoplasty seems advisable.