Nasal Septal Deviation and Its Association With Maxillary Sinus Volume and Sinusitis: A Computed Tomography Study

The objective of this study was to assess the potential impact of nasal septal deviation (NSD) on the volume of the maxillary sinuses and its association with the development of maxillary sinusitis.

Patients who presented with sinonasal symptoms at our tertiary care center and underwent paranasal sinus CT scans were retrospectively evaluated. The study included individuals over the age of 18 who had no history of maxillofacial surgery or trauma and no facial masses. When evaluating the nasal septum, the convex portion of the septum was considered the direction of deviation.

Data from 470 participants were analyzed. Among the patients, 47.23% (n=222) were male, and 52.77% (n=248) were female. A straight nasal septum was observed in 27.66% (n=130) of the patients, while 34.89% (n=164) had right-sided deviation, and 37.45% (n=176) had left-sided deviation. A statistically significant relationship was found between NSD and gender ( P =0.036). The presence of right or left deviation was associated with differences in maxillary sinus volumes ( P =0.009 and P =0.003, respectively). However, no association was found between NSD and either bilateral or unilateral maxillary sinusitis ( P >0.05).

Nasal septal deviation affects the development of the maxillary sinus but is not associated with the incidence of maxillary sinusitis.