Intranasal Volume Increases With Age: Computed Tomography Volumetric Analysis in Adults

Objectives/Hypothesis: It is theorized that intranasal cavity volumes change throughout the aging process, possibly secondary to hormonal changes and atrophy of the sinonasal mucosa. Our objective is to compare intranasal volumes from different age groups to test the hypothesis that intranasal cavity volume increases with age. Study Design: Case series. Methods: An analysis of computed tomography (CT) scans performed for reasons other than sinonasal complaints. Intranasal volumes of three groups (age 20-30 years, 40-50 years, and 70 years and above) were calculated using Vitrea software. The total intranasal volume was measured from the nasal vestibule anteriorly, the nasopharynx posteriorly, the olfactory cleft superiorly, and the nasal floor inferiorly. The total volume included the sum of the right and left sides. Results: Sixty-two CT scans were analyzed. There was a progressive, relatively linear, increase in intranasal volume with increasing age: 20 to 30 years 15.73 mL, 40 to 50 years 17.30 mL, and 70 years and above 18.38 mL. Mean intranasal volume for males was 19.07 mL, and for females was 15.23 mL. Analysis of variance demonstrated significant group differences in mean intranasal volume for age (P=.003) and gender (P <.001), with moderate-to-large effect size of 0.206 and 0.289 (partial eta(2)), respectively. Post hoc testing revealed a significant difference between the 20 to 30-year and >70-year age groups (P=.006). There was no significant difference in intranasal volume dependent upon body mass index. Conclusions: Intranasal volume increases with age and is larger in males. Specific etiologies responsible for increased intranasal cavity volume with age are actively being evaluated.