Effects of Mucosal Decongestion on Nasal Aerodynamics: A Pilot Study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2024 Jun;170(6):1696-1704
Date
03/10/2024Pubmed ID
38461407Pubmed Central ID
PMC11441408DOI
10.1002/ohn.713Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85187127345 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 2 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: Mucosal decongestion with nasal sprays is a common treatment for nasal airway obstruction. However, the impact of mucosal decongestion on nasal aerodynamics and the physiological mechanism of nasal airflow sensation are incompletely understood. The objective of this study is to compare nasal airflow patterns in nasal airway obstruction (NAO) patients with and without mucosal decongestion and nondecongested healthy subjects.
STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of a convenience sample.
SETTING: Academic tertiary medical center.
METHODS: Forty-five subjects were studied (15 nondecongested healthy subjects, 15 nondecongested NAO patients, and 15 decongested NAO patients). Three-dimensional models of the nasal anatomy were created from computed tomography scans. Steady-state simulations of airflow and heat transfer were conducted at 15 L/min inhalation rate using computational fluid dynamics.
RESULTS: In the narrow side of the nose, unilateral nasal resistance was similar in decongested NAO patients and nondecongested healthy subjects, but substantially higher in nondecongested NAO patients. The vertical airflow distribution within the nasal cavity (inferior vs middle vs superior) was also similar in decongested NAO patients and nondecongested healthy subjects, but nondecongested NAO patients had substantially less middle airflow. Mucosal cooling, quantified by the surface area where heat flux exceeds 50 W/m2, was significantly higher in decongested NAO patients than in nondecongested NAO patients.
CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggests that mucosal decongestion improves objective measures of nasal airflow, which is consistent with improved subjective sensation of nasal patency after decongestion.
Author List
Hamdan AT, Cherobin GB, Voegels RL, Rhee JS, Garcia GJMAuthors
Guilherme Garcia PhD Assistant Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Medical College of WisconsinJohn S. Rhee MD Chair, Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAirway Resistance
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Nasal Decongestants
Nasal Mucosa
Nasal Obstruction
Nasal Sprays
Pilot Projects
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
