Evaluation of nasal airways by objective methods in chronic otitis media

Otitis media (OM) is a common health problem. Nasal airways play an important role in etiopathogenesis of OM. The aim of this study is to evaluate nasal airways by objective methods in chronic otitis media (COM) cases. The relationship between the course of the disease and nasal parameters is also investigated. Fifty-six patients who had chosen an operation for chronic otitis media were included in the study. The control group was composed of 30 healthy patients. Patients were subjected to acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry. Nasal airway resistance and cross-sectional area measurements were taken. The results of the COM group and the control group were compared. Cases were classified by the course of the disease such as suppurative/progressive/active and non-suppurative/inactive and the nasal parameters of these sub-groups were compared. In cases with unilateral COM, nasal cavity results from both sides were compared. The nasal airway resistance of the COM group was statistically significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). However, there was no difference in cross-sectional area measurements. There was no significant difference between the suppurative/progressive/active and non-suppurative/inactive groups. However, the suppurative group had higher nasal resistance (p > 0.05). There was no statistical difference between the measurements of each side in unilateral COM cases. This study found that COM cases have greater nasal airway resistance. No significant difference was found in cross-sectional area measurements so the increase in resistance may be linked to mucosal rather than structural changes. There was no evidence for a relationship between the course of the OM and nasal airway parameters.