Correlation of Nasal Mucosal Temperature and Nasal Patency-A Computational Fluid Dynamics Study

Objectives Recent evidence suggests that detection of nasal mucosal temperature, rather than direct airflow detection, is the primary determinant of subjective nasal patency. This study examines the role of nasal mucosal temperature in the perception of nasal patency using in vivo and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) measurements. Methods Healthy adult participants completed Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaires. A temperature probe measured nasal mucosal temperature at the vestibule, inferior turbinate, middle turbinate, and nasopharynx bilaterally. Participants underwent a CT scan, used to create a 3D nasal anatomy model to perform CFD analysis of nasal mucosal and inspired air temperature and heat flux along with mucosal surface area where heat flux >50 W/m(2) (SAHF50). Results Eleven participants with a median age of 27 (IQR 24; 48) were recruited. Probe-measured temperature values correlated strongly with CFD-derived values (r = 0.87, p < 0.05). Correlations were seen anteriorly in the vestibule and inferior turbinate regions between nasal mucosal temperature and unilateral VAS (r = 0.42-0.46; p < 0.05), between SAHF50 and unilateral VAS (r = -0.31 to -0.36; p < 0.05) and between nasal mucosal temperature and SAHF50 (r = -0.37 to -0.41; p < 0.05). Subjects with high patency (VAS <= 10) had increased heat flux anteriorly compared with lower patency subjects (VAS >10; p < 0.05). Conclusion Lower nasal mucosal temperature and higher heat flux within the anterior nasal cavity correlates with a perception of improved unilateral nasal patency in healthy individuals. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 2022

Automated summary

Recent evidence suggests that nasal mucosal temperature is the primary factor determining the perception of nasal patency. This study investigates the role of nasal mucosal temperature in nasal patency perception using in vivo and computational fluid dynamics measurements. The results indicate that lower nasal mucosal temperature and higher heat flux in the anterior nasal cavity are associated with improved unilateral nasal patency in healthy individuals.