To Assess the Utility of Nasal Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Identifying Clearer Nasal Cavity During Pre-operative Nasal Cavity Assessment

Naso-endoscopy, inspect the entire nasal cavity (NC) to objectively identify a clearer NC, however, being invasive it is uncomfortable to patients. Hence, a non-invasive alternative is required, which objectively identifies clearer NC. Nasal MRI is a non-invasive alternative technique that precisely and objectively recognizes a clearer NC. Hence, this study was planned to find the utility and reliability of MRI for the identification of clearer NC. In this prospective observational study, Cohen's kappa interrater agreement with linear weights test was used to assess the reliability of MRI assessment in assigning clearer NC by finding the agreement between MRI and naso-endoscopy for the identification of clearer NC. As smooth negotiation through the assigned clearer NC, predicts the actual success of an assessment technique perfectly. So, the agreement between MRI assigned clearer NC with ultimate NC of tube negotiation was evaluated. We found an excellent agreement between the MRI and naso-endoscopy for the identification of clearer NC (ĸ = 0.91, 95%CI 0.83–0.97). Similarly, excellent agreement was found for MRI classified clearer NC and the NC through which tube was ultimately negotiated (k = 0.97, 95%CI 0.93–1.00). We found nasal MRI as a useful assessment technique that objectively identifies a clearer NC and eases out tube negotiation. NCT03675698 and 09/17/2018.