ACOUSTIC RHINOMETRY COMPARED WITH ANTERIOR RHINOMANOMETRY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF THE RESPONSE TO NASAL ALLERGEN CHALLENGE

Acoustic rhinometry was used to assess nasal airway patency objectivel y and was compared with the more established method of anterior rhinom anometry. Ten patients with allergic rhinitis underwent 15 nasal chall enges with allergen to which they showed positive skin-prick tests. Re sponses were assessed by measuring the minimum nasal cross-sectional a rea (Amin.) using acoustic rhinometry and by measuring nasal airway re sistance (NAR) using anterior rhinomanometry. The measurements of Amin . and NAR showed a significant negative correlation. Acoustic rhinomet ry appears to be superior to anterior rhinomanometry in quantifying th e response to nasal allergen challenge and may be particularly useful in patients with initial nasal blockage.