Objective measures for functional diagnostic of the upper airways: practical aspects.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To review the main papers published on the main available tests to obtain objective values of nasal patency and to demonstrate aspects of their use in medical practice. METHODOLOGY: We performed a non-systematic review of the MEDLINE and LILACS databases, and the most relevant articles were selected. RESULTS: Objective evaluations are important in epidemiological studies and in monitoring of patients with nasal obstruction. There is a wide variety of objective tests of nasal function; among them acoustic rhinometry, rhinomanometry, and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) are currently the most used tests. CONCLUSION: The choice of the method to evaluate nasal function depends on the conditions of each health service. PNIF has been highlighted as a simple and reliable alternative that provides easy-to-interpret results, and is thus an attractive method for clinical practice.