Computational fluid dynamics analysis of the nasal cavity

Individual differences in nasal cavity shape affect transport within it, e.g., medicinal mist transport in nebulizer inhalation. Based on computed tomography (CT) data, we simulated medicinal mist transport within the nasal cavity based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The subject had a deviated nasal septum, chronic sinus infection, and inferior tubinate hypertrophy. CFD simulation showed that the unusual nasal topography caused over 90% of the medicinal mist to be deposited near the external nostril, where the nasal cross-section was narrowest. Changing the nebulized angle to between 30 and 60 degrees enabled most of the medicinal mist to be directed toward the lower nasal cavity.