COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF INFERIOR TURBINATE HYPERTROPHY IN ADULT INDO-DRAVIDIAN PATIENTS WITH DEVIATED NASAL SEPTUM

Abstract

Objective: Aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and significance of inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) in adult indo-dravidian patients with deviated nasal septum (DNS). Methods: Analysis of sinonasal computerized tomography (CT) images of 86 patients having DNS was done during October 2015-December 2016 for evaluation of severity of the associated ITH. Values of maximum width of medial mucosa, bone and total width of the turbinate were measured. Patients with inflammatory or expansile sinonasal masses were excluded. Results: Total 86 patients with varying degrees of septal deviation with ages ranging from 18 to 72 years (mean age of 42.8 years) were distributed as: Group I, mild cases and Group II, moderate and severe DNS cases. Patients having ITH on the contralateral side of deviation were included in the study group. The dimensions of the ITH were evaluated. The medial mucosal component of the ITH underwent maximum hypertrophy as compared to bone and lateral mucosa components. The average medial mucosa, bone and total turbinate widths of the inferior nasal concha as well as lateral offset in Group II DNS cases were 5.21 mm, 1.76 mm, 9.96 mm and 8.74 mm, respectively. Total width and width of medial mucosa of ITH in relation to the severity of septal deviation was statistically significant (p=0.0001 and 0.0098). Conclusion: Present study evaluated the relationship between DNS and compensatory ITH. The findings support the decision to excise the inferior turbinate at the time of septoplasty, because of the significant mucosal expansion.