Comparing dimensions of upper airway in patients with nasal septal deviation and healthy people in CBCT

Nasal septal deviation causes the obstruction of the nasal lateral wall and sinus cavities as well as bringing some respiratory problems. Furthermore, the obstruction of the upper airway tract can cause changes in normal breathing process, which itself has an important effect on the normal development of both the mandibular and facial areas. This study aimed to assess the dimensions of airway in patients suffering from nasal septal deviation as well as comparing them with healthy individuals through CBCT images. This descriptive analytical study was performed on 127 patients (classified into two groups: with septal deviation (n=93) and without this deviation (n=34). In each patient, the presence and severity of nasal septal deviation as well as upper airway dimensions were examined from sagittal and coronal views. The obtained data were then analyzed using independent t-test and Mann-Whitney test.no significant difference was observed between the mean age of the two study groups (P=0.208). Among those subjects with and without nasal septal deviation, no significant difference was observed in the lateral view in nasopharynx (P=0.653), oropharynx (P=0.828), and hypopharynx (P=0.693) areas in terms of the anteroposterior airway dimensions. As well, no significant difference was observed in the transversal dimensions in coronal view in nasopharynx (P=0.098), oropharynx (P=0.438), and hypopharynx (P=0.676) areas. There was no significant difference in terms of anteroposterior airway dimensions in the lateral view as well as regarding transverse dimensions in coronal view in nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx areas.