Racial differences in nasal fossa dimensions determined by acoustic rhinometry

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. Analysis was carried out using multiple linear regression and grouped linear regression with analysis of covariance and, for A, multifactorial analysis of variance. For MCA, race was the main determining factor with Orientals and Caucasians significantly lower than Negroes: p