Assessment Of Changes In Intranasal Moisture As An Effect Of A Deviated Nasal Septum Using Intranasal Schirmer Test ”- A One Year Hospital-Based Observational Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND The mucosa of the nose acts as a guardian that protects the epithelium. An anatomical change in the structure of the nose, like deviation of the nasal septum can lead to an alteration in nasal resistance and the airflow patterns of the nose. These changes in physiology adversely affect the nasal mucosal lining, causing drying up and crusting of secretions, and also thinning of epithelium and epistaxis. Therefore, assessment of the status of moisture levels in the nasal cavity is an indirect measurement of the effect of deviation of septum on the nasal mucosa. Schirmers strips are filter paper strips that are conventionally used to assess the amount of tear production in the eye. In our study, we used the Schirmers strips intranasally in patients with a deviated nasal septum in an attempt to quantify the status of the nasal moisture in an easy manner. OBJECTIVE To study the effects of deviated nasal septum on nasal moisture status using intranasal Schirmer test