Comparison of optical rhinometry to acoustic rhinometry using nasal provocation testing with Dermatophagoides farinae.

Objective: To evaluate optical rhinometry (ORM) as an objective evaluation of nasal patency using nasal provocation testing with Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) as compared with acoustic rhinometry.

Study Design: Prospective pilot.

Setting: Academic rhinologic practice.

Subjects And Methods: Five adult healthy controls and five adult subjects with allergic rhinitis (AR) underwent nasal provocation testing with increasing concentrations of Df while undergoing ORM. The minimum concentration of Df causing a positive reading was recorded. Nasal cross-sectional area was measured before and after testing using acoustic rhinometry. Nasal patency was assessed subjectively after each challenge with the visual analogue scale.

Results: The median amount of Df causing a positive response on ORM was less in AR patients as compared to healthy controls, at 5000 AU/mL and greater than 10,000 AU/mL, respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation between the change in optical density in ORM and subjective nasal congestion after increasing Df challenges (r = 0.63; P = 0.0007). Similarly, there was a statistically significant correlation between change in optical density by ORM and both minimum cross-sectional areas as measured by acoustic rhinometry (r = -0.60, P = 0.03; and r = -0.64, P = 0.02, respectively).

Conclusion: This is the first study to show a correlation between optical rhinometry and acoustic rhinometry during nasal provocation testing with Df. In addition, the data support a correlation of optical rhinometry to subjective symptoms of nasal congestion. These preliminary data suggest that optical rhinometry is able to assess changes in nasal patency during challenges with Df.