Objective: Acoustic rhinometry is a new objective tool for the diagnosis of nasal obstruction.

Aim: To provide normal values of nasal volume in Saudi adults as a local reference.

Patient and Methods: 240 normal adult volunteers and100 patients with different nasal obstruction conditions were examined with acoustic  rhinometry to evaluate  the  minimal cross sectional area (MCA), the  distance to minimal cross sectional area (DMCA) and the nasal cavity volume (NCV) from nostril to 5 cm inside the nasal cavity.

Results: The mean acoustic rhinometry parameters in normal Saudi adult volunteers were MCA = 0.66 +/-0.12 (cm2),
DMCA = 1.67 +/- 0.31 (cm) and NCV 8.12 +/- 2.1 (cm3). Patients with a deviated nasal septum had an NCA that increased in the deviated side and differs from 0.28 +/- 0.17 cm2 to 0.48 +/- 0.09 cm2. The DMCA values differed between the deviated sides from 2.19 +/- 0.28 cm to 1.96 +/- 0.39 cm in the other side. The NCV also increased in the deviated side and varied between both sides from 4.26 +/- 2.31 cm 3 to 7.21 +/- 2.73 cm 3.

Conclusion: Acoustic rhinometry is non-invasive, rapid objective test can evaluate patients with chronic nasal obstruction.

Keywords: Acoustic rhinometry, Normal values, Saudi.