NORMATIVE STANDARDS FOR NASAL CROSS-SECTIONAL AREAS BY RACE AS MEASURED BY ACOUSTIC RHINOMETRY

Acoustic rhinometry evaluates the geometry of the nasal cavity with ac oustic reflections and provides information about nasal cross-sectiona l area and nasal volume within a given distance. Variations in interna l nasal diameters have attracted increased interest since the advent o f endoscopic surgical techniques. Race is known to be one of the most important factors affecting the nasal structure. In this study, we eva luated 106 healthy adult volunteers with acoustic rhinometry to determ ine internal nasal diameters and volumes and obtained normative data f or four racial/ethnic groups. The data were analyzed with regard to ra ce, sex, height, and weight. All measurements were made before and aft er the application of a topical nasal decongestant so that the effects of the nasal cycle were eliminated by decongestion.