Nasal sound analysis: A new method for evaluating nasal obstruction in allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Objective. Current measurements of nasal obstruction are unreliable and may be improved with the development of new techniques. The effectiveness of odiosoft-rhino (OR) in the evaluation of nasal obstruction was investigated in a blind comparison at a referral center, institutional practice. Patients: Forty-eight patients with perennial allergic rhinitis and 52 healthy subjects were studied. Nasal endoscopic examination, acoustic rhinometry (AR), and OR were performed and symptom scores compared. Main Outcome Measure: Assessment of nasal blockage with OR method was the main outcome measure. Results. Using the OR technique, significant differences were observed between the patient and control groups. OR data correlated with symptom scores and endoscopic examination. However, this was not observed with AR. A 15.5-dB cutoff point for the left side and 14.5 dB cutoff point for the right side at the 2,000 to 4,000 Hz frequency interval resulted in 93.8% sensitivity and 92.3% specificity and 72.9% sensitivity and 80.8% specificity, respectively. A 8.5-dB cutoff point for the left and right sides at the 4,000 to 6,000 Hz frequency interval resulted in 87.5% sensitivity and 80.8% specificity and 70.8% sensitivity and 78.8% specificity, respectively. Conclusion. OR is a simple, noninvasive test for assessing nasal obstruction. The OR technique can detect nasal obstruction with high sensitivity and specificity, and these findings correlate with symptoms and physical examination.