Association between nasal cavity anatomical variations and palatal dimensions in pediatric patients: a CBCT study

This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the associations of nasal septum deviation (NSD), concha bullosa (CB), and inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) with palatal dimensions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

CBCT images of patients younger than 18 years obtained between January 2021 and May 2025 were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 108 eligible subjects were included and categorized into four groups based on the presence of NSD and CB. Maxillary palatal arch angle (MPAA), palatal interalveolar length (PIL), and palatal depth (PAD) were measured. Group comparisons were performed using age-adjusted ANCOVA, and associations between palatal measurements, deviated septal curve angle (DSCA), and age were analyzed using correlation and regression analyses.

Unadjusted analyses revealed significant age differences among the groups. After age adjustment, no significant differences were observed in MPAA, PIL, or PAD (p > 0.05). A weak positive correlation was found between DSCA and MPAA (r = 0.219; p = 0.023), whereas no significant correlations were detected for PIL or PAD. Regression analysis showed that age was the only significant predictor of palatal measurements.

Age was the only significant predictor of palatal measurements in this pediatric sample. Within the CBCT-based anatomical variables evaluated, NSD, CB, and ITH were not independently associated with palatal dimensions after adjustment for age. These findings should not be generalized to functional nasal obstruction or respiratory patterns, which were not assessed in this study.