Gye Song Cho1, Jeoung Hyun Kim, Yong Ju Jang. 1. Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the subjective sensation of nasal obstruction and the corresponding cross-sectional area for nasal airflow in patients with a deviated septum. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with a diagnosis of unilateral nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum were evaluated by preoperative computed tomography. Anterior anatomic characteristics (the internal nasal valve angle and the cross-sectional areas at the external nasal valve, the head of the inferior turbinate, and the head of the middle turbinate) and posterior anatomic factors (the cross-sectional areas at the openings of the frontal sinus, maxillary sinus, and end of the nasal septum) were examined. Associations between the computed tomography measurements and the subjective severity of nasal obstruction were analyzed with a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: Anterior and posterior anatomic characteristics were associated with the subjective severity of nasal obstruction. Anterior anatomic factors were related to the VAS scores of patients with anterior septal deviation, and posterior anatomic factors were related to the VAS scores of patients with posterior septal deviation. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that the anterior and posterior parts of the nasal cavity are both related to nasal obstruction. In some patients, the posterior part of the nasal cavity was more important than other locations in causing nasal obstruction.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the subjective sensation of nasal obstruction and the corresponding cross-sectional area for nasal airflow in patients with a deviated septum. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with a diagnosis of unilateral nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum were evaluated by preoperative computed tomography. Anterior anatomic characteristics (the internal nasal valve angle and the cross-sectional areas at the external nasal valve, the head of the inferior turbinate, and the head of the middle turbinate) and posterior anatomic factors (the cross-sectional areas at the openings of the frontal sinus, maxillary sinus, and end of the nasal septum) were examined. Associations between the computed tomography measurements and the subjective severity of nasal obstruction were analyzed with a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: Anterior and posterior anatomic characteristics were associated with the subjective severity of nasal obstruction. Anterior anatomic factors were related to the VAS scores of patients with anterior septal deviation, and posterior anatomic factors were related to the VAS scores of patients with posterior septal deviation. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that the anterior and posterior parts of the nasal cavity are both related to nasal obstruction. In some patients, the posterior part of the nasal cavity was more important than other locations in causing nasal obstruction.
Authors: Aris I Giotakis; Gerlig Widmann; Erik Mallien; Felix Riechelmann; Helen Heppt; Herbert Riechelmann Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2022-10-15 Impact factor: 3.236