Nasal airflow simulations in models derived from cone beam and spiral CT scans by using CFD

Abstract

The intranasal airflow pattern is closely related to the size and shape of the nasal cavity. Turbulence flow is generated in the nostrils. The airflow pattern is disrupted within the nasal valve area. Afterwards, the air will spread over the mucosa of the enlarged chamber, anterior turbinate area, for heating up the inspiratory air. This paper discusses how the shape and size of the nose affects the airflow pattern inside the nasal cavity. The geometry of the nasal cavity model will be derived from both spiral and cone beam CT scans for comparison. The airflow profile inside the nose during breathing in rest will be simulated by computational fluid dynamic method. The results of this project conclude that the nose with different shapes and sizes will affect the airflow pattern in the nasal cavity, and there are no significant differences on the nasal airflow pattern from the nasal model derived from the spiral and cone beam CT scans.