Correlation of asymmetric facial growth with deviated nasal septum

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of nasal septum deformities in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) patients in various geographic regions in the world. Anterior rhinoscopy without nasal decongestion was performed in 17 ENT centers in 14 countries. The septal deformities were classified according to the classification system proposed by Mladina. A total of 2589 adult ENT patients (1500 males and 1089 females) were examined. Septal deformities were found in 89.2% of subjects. Left-sided deformities were slightly more prevalent than right-sided deformities (51.6% and 48.4%, respectively). The most frequent type of deformity was type 3 (20.4%). Straight septum was found in 15.4% of females and 7.5% of males. Almost 90% of the subjects showed 1 of the 7 types of septal deformity. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of their appearance among particular geographic regions. Type 3 was the most frequent type. Straight septum was twice as frequent in females than in males.

To measure the dimensions, composition, and possible structural and/or histopathological changes of the compensatory hypertrophic inferior turbinate in patients with deviated nasal septum. A prospective, nonrandomized, and morphometric study. Nineteen patients with deviated nasal septum and compensatory hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate in the contralateral nasal cavity underwent surgery for correction of nasal obstruction. Patients' specimens were compared with those of a control group consisting of 10 inferior turbinates removed at autopsy. Quantitative measurements of the inferior turbinate histological sections were carried out and included the width of the layers and morphometric calculations of the relative proportions of the soft tissue constituents. Also, qualitative study was performed to detect pathological changes. Of all layers, the inferior turbinate bone underwent a twofold increase in thickness and manifested the most significant expansion (P < or =.001), whereas the contribution of the mucosal layers to the inferior turbinate hypertrophy was modest. The morphometric analysis revealed a larger proportion of venous sinusoids in hypertrophic turbinates, but the difference was small and statistically insignificant. Qualitative assessment disclosed normal mucosal architecture in all inferior turbinates with compensatory hypertrophy. Eleven remained intact, while eight disclosed mild to moderate pathological changes. The data gathered in the present study are of importance to the decision-making process regarding turbinate surgery. The significant bone expansion and the relative minor role played by the mucosal hypertrophy would support the decision to excise the inferior turbinate bone at the time of septoplasty.

The objective was to measure the dimensions, composition, and possible structural and radiological changes of the compensatory hypertrophic inferior turbinate in patients with deviated nasal septum. A prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial at a university medical center. Twenty-three patients with deviated nasal septum and compensatory hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate in the contralateral nasal cavity were examined by computed tomography. The dimensions of the compensatory hypertrophic inferior turbinate in patients with septal deviation were compared with normal control subjects. The difference in width of the medial and lateral mucosa and the conchal bone between the two groups was statistically significant (P <.05). The present study uncovers the dimensions and composition of the inferior turbinate with compensatory hypertrophy in patients with nasal septum deviation. The findings support the decision to excise the inferior turbinate bone at the time of septoplasty, because of the significant bony and mucosal expansion.