Investigate the acoustic rhinometry findings in patients with sleep disordered breathing

The aim of this study was to investigate the acoustic rhinometry findings in patients with sleep disordered breathing and to investigate the relationship between polysomnography (PSG) parameters and acoustic rhinometry findings. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients with suspicion of PSG made were examined retrospectively. Nasal congestion with complaints, 135 patients with NOSE scale data and acoustic rhinometry recordings were included in the study. A total of 54 patients with inadequate sleep activity, central sleep apnea syndrome, demographic data and physical examination findings, missing NOSE scale data, past nasal surgical history, septal perforation, topical nasal spray, infectious or inflammatory sinonasal disease was left out. Eventually, data from 81 patients were analyzed. Patients' age, sex, body mass index, additional diseases and NOSE scale results were recorded. Anterior rhinoscopy and flexible fiberoptic nasopharyngoscope with anterior and posterior acoustic rhinometry was performed after opening the nasal passages is detected. Of the 81 patients, 20 (24.7%) were female, 61 (75.3%) were male, 59.3% were isolated septum deviations, 20.9% were unda isolated concha hypertrophy and 19.8 % were combined septum deviations and concha hypertrophy. The mean NOSE scale score was 10.0 ± 4.0 (2-20), MCA1 0.46 ± 0.2 cm2, Vol1 1.84 ± 0.5 cm3, MCA2 0.42 ± 0.2 cm2, and Vol2 5.67 ± 3.5 cm3. The mean AHI was 27.9 ± 23.3. Simple snoring was found in 5 of the patients (6.1%), mild OSA in 23 (28.4%), moderate OSA in 22 (27.2%) and severe OSA in 31 (38.3%) patients. No significant difference was found between the mild, moderate and severe OSA in the NOSE scale and acoustic rhinometry data. Care should be taken in the selection of patients for treatment of the nose in these patients, considering that the treatment for OSA patients may not contribute to the care of the nose surgeon.