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Effects of septal perforation on nasal airflow: computer simulation study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 September 2009

H P Lee ,
R R Garlapati ,
V F H Chong  and
D Y Wang
H P Lee*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore
R R Garlapati
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
V F H Chong
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
D Y Wang
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Heow Pueh Lee, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore117576. Fax: 65 67791459 E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background:

Nasal septal perforation is a structural or anatomical defect in the septum. The present study focused on the effects of septal perforation on nasal airflow and nasal patency, investigated using a computer simulation model.

Methods:

The effect of nasal septal perforation size on nasal airflow pattern was analysed using computer-generated, three-dimensional nasal models reconstructed using data from magnetic resonance imaging scans of a healthy human subject. Computer-based simulations using computational fluid dynamics were then conducted to determine nasal airflow patterns.

Results:

The maximum velocity and wall shear stress were found always to occur in the downstream region of the septal perforation, and could potentially cause bleeding in that region, as previously reported. During the breathing process, there was flow exchange and flow reversal through the septal perforation, from the higher flow rate to the lower flow rate nostril side, especially for moderate and larger sized perforations.

Conclusion:

In the breathing process of patients with septal perforations, there is airflow exchange from the higher flow rate to the lower flow rate nostril side, especially for moderate and large sized perforations. For relatively small septal perforations, the amount of cross-flow is negligible. This cross-flow may cause the whistling sound typically experienced by patients.

Keywords

Nasal SeptumPerforationRespiratory AirflowComputer Simulation
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 1 , January 2010 , pp. 48 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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