Rhinology
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Sixty acoustic rhinographs from subjects of three different ethnic groups (Caucasian [Europeans], Negro, and Oriental) were examined at baseline and after decongestion. The main parameters analysed were minimal cross-sectional area (MCA), the distance at which this occurred (D), nasal volume at 0-4 cm (Vol), mean cross-sectional area at 0-6 cm (MA), and the cross-sectional area at 10 points in the nose (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 6 cm) analysed as a series (A). Values from left and right were combined and mean values used. ⋯ In the non-decongested state MA was significantly different in all racial groups: p<0.0001 (corrected means and c.i.: Orientals: 3.89 cm2, 3.47-4.31 cm2; Caucasians: 4.67 cm2, 4.27-5.09 cm2; Negroes: 5.13 cm2, 4.72-5.53 cm2). In the decongested state there was a significant difference between Negroes and the other two groups (p = 0.015), and Orientals and Caucasians were a homogenous population. We conclude that race has a significant effect on acoustic rhinometry measurements and this needs to be taken into account.