Relationship between Pediatric Concha Bullosa and Septal Deviation

Abstract

Objectives:

Investigate the frequency of pediatric middle turbinate pneumatization and present its possible effect on septal deviation.

Methods:

Computed tomography (CT) scans of 152 children (younger than 16 years old) were analyzed for the presence of middle turbinate pneumatization and nasal septal deviation.

Results:

The incidences of lamellar, bulbous, and extensive concha bullosa were 29.6%, 14.5%, and 7.2%, respectively. The data revealed that 53 patients (67.9%) with concha bullosa also had septal deviation as opposed to 50% (37 out of 74 cases) frequency of septal deviation in patients without concha bullosa. Among the 37 patients with right side concha bullosa, 59.5% had a deviated septum to their left side while 21.6% had a deviation to the right side. Out of those patients with concha bullosa on the left side (38 cases), 44.7% had a right side septal deviation and 13.2% had a left-side septal deviation that revealed a significant relationship between the position of concha bullosa and the side where the septum deviated (P < .001). The comparison of these ratios showed a significant relationship between the occurrence of septal deviation and concha bullosa (P = .024).

Conclusions:

A possible relationship was found between middle turbinate pneumatization and the mechanism of development of septal deviation in children.