Acoustic Rhinnometric Accessment of Nasal Cavity in Normal Neonates / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acoustic rhinometry, introduced by Hilberg in 1989, is an important investigative tool in rhinology. It should be well suited for studies of the nasal cavities of infants and children in whom nasal airway is more important than in adults. The main objective of this study was to find normal data of nasal cavity dimension in Korean full-term normal neonates. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Between March 2003 and November 2003, the nasal airways of 100 normal full-term neonates (56 males; 44 females) were examined by acoustic rhinometry (Rhinometrics) and miniprobe. MCA (minimal cross-sectional area), TMCA (total MCA), DMCA (distance from the nostril to the position of MCA) and TVOL40 (sum of volume of the anterior 40 mm of the nasal airway) were calculated. RESULTS: The mean values of TMCA, DMCA and TVOL40 were 0.220 cm2 0.944 cm, 1.716 cm3 respectively. CONCLUSION: Acoustic rhinometry is quick to perform, non-invasive, and it requires minimal co-operation and has no adverse effects. Nasal airway evaluation in neonates is significant in this age group, but limitations in equipment make this difficult. Further studies are required for more accurate evaluation of the nasal airway of neonates and infants.