The Prevalence of Concha Bullosa and Nasal Septal Deviation and Their Relationship to Maxillary Sinusitis by Volumetric Tomography

Kyle D Smith,Tarnjit S Saini,Neil S Norton,Paul C Edwards

doi:10.1155/2010/404982

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of concha bullosa and nasal septal deviation and their potential relationships to maxillary sinusitis. 883 CT scans taken at Creighton University School of Dentistry from 2005 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of concha bullosa, nasal septal deviation, and maxillary sinusitis. 67.5% of patients exhibited pneumatization of at least one concha, 19.4% of patients had a deviated septum, and 50.0% had mucosal thickening consistent with maxillary sinusitis. 49.3% of patients who had concha bullosa also had evidence of maxillary sinusitis. Only 19.5% of patients with concha bullosa also had nasal septal deviation, whereas 19.7% of patients with sinusitis also presented with nasal septal deviation. Although concha bullosa is a common occurrence in the nasal cavity, there did not appear to be a statistically significant relationship between the presence of concha bullosa or nasal septal deviation and maxillary sinusitis.

Highlights

With the recent widespread introduction of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), dentists and otolaryngologists are better able to identify anatomical abnormalities and pathological states within the structures of the nasal cavity and the surrounding paranasal sinuses
883 CT scans taken at Creighton University School of Dentistry from 2005 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of concha bullosa, nasal septal deviation, and maxillary sinusitis. 67.5% of patients exhibited pneumatization of at least one concha, 19.4% of patients had a deviated septum, and 50.0% had mucosal thickening consistent with maxillary sinusitis. 49.3% of patients who had concha bullosa had evidence of maxillary sinusitis
Concha bullosa is a common occurrence in the nasal cavity, there did not appear to be a statistically significant relationship between the presence of concha bullosa or nasal septal deviation and maxillary sinusitis

Summary

Introduction

With the recent widespread introduction of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), dentists and otolaryngologists are better able to identify anatomical abnormalities and pathological states within the structures of the nasal cavity and the surrounding paranasal sinuses. Mucosal inflammation can be identified in computed tomography (CT) scans, arguably making this radiographic modality the standard for accurately evaluating the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses [1]. While some studies suggest that deviations of the nasal septum or the presence of concha bullosa may interfere with proper airflow, potentially predisposing to sinus disease, other studies have produced contradictory findings [1, 3, 4]. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of concha bullosa and nasal septal deviation and to examine their possible relationship to maxillary sinus disease

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Conclusion