Virtual rhinomanometry based on computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses in patients with nasal septum deviation a pilot study

Aim: The purpose of the study was to compare flow disturbances in the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique based on computed tomography (CT) with the results of active anterior rhinomanometry (RMM), in patients with nasal septum deviation (NSD). Material and methods: In 24 patients with NSD, RMM, and CT of the paranasal sinuses were performed as part of typical clinical management. For each patient, 3D models of air-filled spaces in the nasal cavity were created, based on CT images, and airflow simulations during inhalation were performed using the CFD technique. The correlations between RMM and CFD, both before and after anemization, during inspiration, were tested, independently for the left and right sides. Results: The correlation coefficients obtained for the comparison of flow in RMM during inspiration and in CFD during simulated inspiration were: before anemization 0.46 for the left side and 0.52 for the right side, after anemization 0.65 for the left side and 0.61 for the right side (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Moderate correlation was found between the results of real and virtual rhinomanometry, with higher correlation coefficients obtained after anemization, compared to the values before anemization.