DIAGNOSING NASAL HYPERREACTIVITY WITH POSITIONAL RHINOMANOMETRY

Positional rhinomanometry is a physiologic method for estimating nasal resistance, which is variable, difficult to predict, and linked to va somotor activity of the functional system culminating in the turbinate valves. Thirty subjects suffering from allergic rhinitis, 25 patients affected by aspecific rhinitis, and 40 healthy controls underwent pos itional rhinomanometry. Test positions included the seated (baseline), supine, and recumbent (homolateral and contralateral to the nasal fos sa under examination). In patients with perennial allergic rhinitis an d in those with aspecific rhinitis, positional rhinomanometry elicited two pathologic responses: either an average percentage rise of more t han 80% in nasal resistance in the supine and homolateral and contrala teral recumbent positions compared with basal values, or a paradoxical fall in the supine and homolateral recumbent positions.