Is Computed Tomography Necessary Before Septoplasty? Correlation With Physical Examination and Patient Complaints

Septoplasty is one of the most common surgeries performed by otorhinolaryngologists. The gold standard for the evaluation of septal deviation is anterior rhinoscopy and nasal endoscopy. Frequently, computed tomography (CT) is also performed, although the correlation between septal deviation on CT and physical examination is unclear.

To study the relationship between symptoms and physical and radiological evaluation in patients who underwent septoplasty.

A prospective study of patients with nasal obstruction and septal deviation who underwent septoplasty. Anterior rhinoscopy and nasal endoscopy were performed by the surgeon, and the CT was evaluated by a radiologist. The degree of obstruction was evaluated in three distinct septal locations. The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) score was used before the surgery and two months after the surgery.

The study included 43 patients, of whom 60.5% were male, with an average age of 37.09 years (±12.56). The degree of septal deviation in the physical examination was significantly different from that observed in CT (p˂0.05). Cartilaginous or maxillary crest septal deviations >75% were more commonly recognized by physical examination, while osseous septum deviations of 25%-50% were more easily detected by CT. There was no difference between the degree of septal deviation and the preoperative NOSE. The median preoperative NOSE was 60, and the postoperative was 5, with significant improvement (p<0.05).

CT doesn't appear to be useful in the evaluation of septal deviation since it is different from the findings of a physical examination and isn't associated with the NOSE score. Clinical decisions should be based on a physical examination and patient complaints.