Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  1998 Nov;41(11):1431-1435.

The Characteristics of Nasal Cycle and Nasal Cavity Volume inLaryngectomees Using Acoustic Rhinometry

• Roh HJ
• Chong YJ
• Moon HS
• Lee BJ
• Wang SG

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The nasal cycle of laryngectomized patients has been thought to be far different from the normal subjects. This study was performed to evaluate the difference in the patterns and activities of nasal cycles, the total nasal cavity volume, and the degree of change in the nasal cavity volume between laryngectomees (LG) and normal controls.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twentythree laryngectomized patients and twenty-three normal controls were studied. Acoustic rhinometry measurements were taken 3 times from each nostril at intervals of 30 minutes during 8 hrs. The total nasal cavity volume was measured from the first 7 cm of nostril.
RESULTS
There were four types of nasal cycle patterns in both laryngectomees and controls: classical pattern in 6 (26.1%) LG and 5 (21.7%) controls, in concert pattern in 3 (13.1%) LG an 8 (34.8%) controls, mixed pattern in 4 (17.4%) LG and 3 (13.0%) controls, irregular pattern in 11 (47.8%) LG and 6 (26.1%) controls. In laryngectomees, the total nasal cavity volume was increased (p<0.01), and the degree of change in the ipsilateral volume was decreased compared to the controls (p<0.05). However, there was no significant change in the activity of nasal cycle compared to control (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Although the afferent input from the airflow receptor in the nasal cavity may play a role in modulating the pattern of nasal cycle, we suggest that the central nervous system is more important than the feedback mechanism for regulation and control of nasal cycle.

Keyword

Nasal cycle; Laryngectomees; Acoustic rhinometry

MeSH Terms

Acoustics*
Central Nervous System
Humans
Nasal Cavity*
Rhinometry, Acoustic*