CT Scan Evaluation of Prevalence of Paradoxical Middle Turbinate In Adult Population of Bihar

Abstract

Introduction: Middle turbinate overlying the middle meatus is the most important anatomic area in the lateral wall of the nose. It is a thinsheet of bone which curves in different planes very similar to a dried leaf. Paradoxical Middle Turbinate (PMT) is the abnormal curvatureof middle turbinate, where the convex surface faces laterally instead of its usual medial curvature and may block the drainage pathway ofmiddle meatus. The present study aimed at observing the prevalence of the paradoxical middle turbinate in the adult population of Bihar. Subjects and Methods: This was a retrospective study being conducted on 150 patients who presented to the Department of Radiodiagnosis. Their CT scans were analysed for the presence of paradoxical middle turbinate. The results were analysed as percentage and ‘p’ value was calculated using Fischer’s Exact Test. Results: Prevalence of Paradoxical Middle Turbinate was observed in 28 cases i.e. 18.6% cases; 16 in males and 12 in females. ‘p’ value was 0.677 on applying Fisher’s Exact test. Conclusion: Anatomical variations of the paranasal sinus region like paradoxical middle turbinate are quite common cause of diseases involving paranasal sinuses and they must be searched for by the surgeons planning any endoscopic sinus surgery. This study attempted to provide the prevalence of the paradoxical middle turbinate which will definitely help the FESS surgery and its outcomes.