Computational fluid dynamics of upper airway aerodynamics for exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction: A feasibility study

Döllinger M, Jakubaß B, Cheng H, Carter SJ, Kniesburges S, Aidoo B, Lee CH, Milstein C, Patel RR (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology Wiley

DOI: 10.1002/lio2.1140

Abstract

Objective: Use of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations to measure the changes in upper airway geometry and aerodynamics during (a) an episode of Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO) and (b) speech therapy exercises commonly employed for patients with EILO. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging stills of the upper airway including the nasal and oral cavities from an adult female were used to re-construct three-dimensional geometries of the upper airway. The CFD simulations were used to compute the maximum volume flow rate (l/s), pressure (Pa), airflow velocity (m/s) and area of cross-section opening in eight planes along the vocal tract, separately for inhalation and exhalation. Results: Numerical predictions from three-dimensional geometrical modeling of the upper airway suggest that the technique of nose breathing for inhalation and pursed lip breathing for exhalation show most promising pressure conditions and cross-sectional diameters for rescue breathing exercises. Also, if EILO is due to the constriction at the vocal fold level, then a quick sniff may also be a proper rescue inhalation exercise. EILO affects both the inspiratory and the expiratory phases of breathing. Conclusions: A prior knowledge of the supraglottal aerodynamics and the corresponding upper airway geometry from CFD analysis has the potential to assist the clinician in choosing the most effective rescue breathing technique for optimal functional outcome of speech therapy intervention in patients with EILO and in understanding the pathophysiology of EILO on a case-by-case basis with future studies. Level of Evidence: 4.

Authors with CRIS profile

Michael Döllinger Professur für Computational Medicine (DFG-Forschungsprofessur) Bernhard Jakubaß Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Stefan Kniesburges

Involved external institutions

Indiana University US United States (USA) (US) Purdue-University US United States (USA) (US) Case Western Reserve University US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Döllinger, M., Jakubaß, B., Cheng, H., Carter, S.J., Kniesburges, S., Aidoo, B.,... Patel, R.R. (2023). Computational fluid dynamics of upper airway aerodynamics for exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction: A feasibility study. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/lio2.1140

MLA:

Döllinger, Michael, et al. "Computational fluid dynamics of upper airway aerodynamics for exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction: A feasibility study." Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology (2023).

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