Skip to main content
Imaging of the internal nasal valve using long-range Fourier domain optical coherence tomography.
Abstract
Objectives/hypothesis
To evaluate for the first time the feasibility and methodology of long-range Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (LR-OCT) imaging of the internal nasal valve (INV) area in healthy individuals.Study design
Prospective individual cohort study.Methods
For 16 individuals, OCT was performed in each nare. The angle and the cross-sectional area of the INV were measured. OCT images were compared to corresponding digital pictures recorded with a flexible endoscope.Results
INV angle measured by OCT was found to be 18.3° ± 3.1° (mean ± standard deviation). The cross-sectional area was 0.65 ± 0.23 cm(2) . The INV angle measured by endoscopy was 18.8° ± 6.9°. There was no statistically significant difference between endoscopy and OCT concerning the mean INV angle (P = .778), but there was a significant difference in test precision (coefficient of variance 50% vs. 15%; P < .001).Conclusions
LR-OCT proved to be a fast and easily performed method. OCT could accurately quantify the INV area. The values of the angle and the cross-sectional area of the INV were reproducible and correlated well with the data seen with other methods. Changes in size could be reliably delineated. Endoscopy showed similar values but was significantly less precise.Level of evidence
2b. Laryngoscope, 126:E97-E102, 2016.Many UC-authored scholarly publications are freely available on this site because of the UC's open access policies. Let us know how this access is important for you.