The Contribution of Computed Tomography to Nasal Septoplasty

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of computed tomography (CT) scanning to nasal septoplasty. METHODS: The study included 76 patients, on whom septoplasty was planned to be performed because of deviated nasal septum. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those who had a CT scan (group 1, study group) and those who did not have a CT scan (group 2, control group) before septoplasty. Pathologic anatomic structures accompanying deviated septum and surgical interventions performed in addition to septoplasty were determined. The patients were asked the degree of improvement in nasal air passage obstruction, and 2 groups were compared with each other. RESULTS: Group 1 included 40 patients, and group 2 had 36 patients. In group 1, the pathologic findings determined along with deviated septum were concha bullosa in 14 patients, retention cyst of the maxillary sinus in 2 patients, paradox middle nasal concha in 2 patients, inferior concha hypertrophy in 18 patients, frontal osteoma in 1 patient, antrochoanal polyp in 1 patient, and chronic sinusitis (maxillary, ethmoidal, frontal) in 7 patients. Lateral resection was performed for concha bullosa; out-fracture with submucosal cauterization was performed on the patients with inferior concha hypertrophy, and endoscopic sinus surgery was performed for the patients with chronic sinusitis and antrochoanal polyp. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography is able to recognize some pathologic findings that cannot be found on physical examination and is helpful to decide the location and the type of the surgery. Additional surgical interventions owing to CT performed before the septoplasty are much more helpful to relieve the patient's nasal air passage obstruction.