Accuracy of virtual rhinomanometry

Introduction: This paper describes the results of research aimed at developing a method of otolaryngological diagnosis based on computational fluid dynamics, which has been called Virtual Rhinomanometry. Material and methods: Laboratory studies of airflows through a 3D printed model of nasal cavities based on computed tomography image analysis have been performed. The CFD results have been compared with those of an examination of airflow through nasal cavities (rhinomanometry) of a group of 25 patients. Results: The possibilities of simplifying model geometry for CFD calculations have been described, the impact of CT image segmentation on geometric model accuracy and CFD simulation errors have been analysed, and recommendations for future research have been described. Conclusions: The measurement uncertainty of the nasal cavities’ walls has a significant impact on CFD simulations. The CFD simulations better approximate RMM results of patients after anemization, as the influence of the nasal mucosa on airflow is then reduced. A minor change in the geometry of the nasal cavities (within the range of reconstruction errors by CT image segmentation) has a major impact on the results of CFD simulations.