Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2012 Dec;5(4):181-187. 10.3342/ceo.2012.5.4.181.

Impacts of Fluid Dynamics Simulation in Study of Nasal Airflow Physiology and Pathophysiology in Realistic Human Three-Dimensional Nose Models

• Wang DY
• Lee HP
• Gordon BR

• KMID: 1489076
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/ceo.2012.5.4.181

Abstract

During the past decades, numerous computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies, constructed from CT or MRI images, have simulated human nasal models. As compared to rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry, which provide quantitative information only of nasal airflow, resistance, and cross sectional areas, CFD enables additional measurements of airflow passing through the nasal cavity that help visualize the physiologic impact of alterations in intranasal structures. Therefore, it becomes possible to quantitatively measure, and visually appreciate, the airflow pattern (laminar or turbulent), velocity, pressure, wall shear stress, particle deposition, and temperature changes at different flow rates, in different parts of the nasal cavity. The effects of both existing anatomical factors, as well as post-operative changes, can be assessed. With recent improvements in CFD technology and computing power, there is a promising future for CFD to become a useful tool in planning, predicting, and evaluating outcomes of nasal surgery. This review discusses the possibilities and potential impacts, as well as technical limitations, of using CFD simulation to better understand nasal airflow physiology.

Keyword

Computational fluid dynamics; Nose models; Nasal airflow dynamics; Airflow physiology and pathophysiology

MeSH Terms

Humans
Hydrodynamics
Nasal Cavity
Nasal Surgical Procedures
Nose
Rhinomanometry
Rhinometry, Acoustic

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Three-dimensional (3D) human nasal model can be constructed from a set of clinical imaging data, and used for computational fluid dynamics modeling calculations.

• 

  Fig. 2 Turbulent kinetic energy (m2/second2) airflow contours for a healthy nose with different flow rates. There is an obvious effect of airflow turbulence in maximizing air contact with the turbinate mucosa (small arrows).

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  Fig. 3 Three-dimensional (3D) model of inspiratory air streamlines (blue), with air velocity, pressure and wall shear stress measurements, at three points in both normal (healthy) and obstructed nose models. The flow rate used in computational fluid dynamics simulation is 34.8 L/minute.

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