Acoustic rhinometry: recommendations for technical specifications and standard operating procedures

This document is the result of the work and discussion of the Standardisati on Committee on Acoustic Rhinometry and presents guidelines for quality con trol and optimal application of acoustic rhinometry at its present stage. I t is suggested that: 1. A well-defined standard nose is used for testing and optimising the equi pment (data for a standard nose is given in the paper). 2. Procedures for evaluation of accuracy and repeatability of the measureme nts in the standard nose are presented, and error limits are defined for th e area-distance curve as a,whole, for the minimum cross-sectional area and for the volume from 0-5 cm into the nose. 3. Publication of results should include the volume 0-5 cm into the nose (v olume from 2-5 cm for mucosal changes) the minimum cross-sectional area or preferably the two first minima and the distances to those areas. 4. The operator should be trained follow a standard operating procedure and the environmental conditions (temperature and noise) be controlled. 5. Attention should be given to the nosepiece and the coupling between the equipment and the nose to obtain correct position, and sufficient seal with out disturbing the anatomy. 6. The manufacturer should give information about the performance of the eq uipment, calibration procedures and maintenance, hygiene, environmental and safety standards.