[Measurement of blood flow in nasal mucosa].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the amount of blood flow in the human nasal mucosa and its change in patients with nasal polyps and allergic rhinitis.

METHODS

Using the Ameflow-H2, the amount of blood flow in nasal mucosa was examined in 98 normal adults, 18 cases of nasal polyps and 14 cases of allergic rhinitis before and after application of the vaso constrictor.

RESULT: Before the application of the vaso constrictor, blood flow of nasal mucosa of patients with nasal polyps and allergic rhinitis was lower than that of healthy people (P < 0.01). After using the vaso constrictor, the amount of blood flow was decreased in all cases with a significant decrease in patients with nasal polyps.

CONCLUSION

Ameflow-H2 may be the best tool to measure nasal blood flow than other devices. The method is technically simple, less traumatic, and repeatable.