Correlation between Nasal Septal Deviation and Paranasal Sinus Mucosal Thickening in Chronic Rhinosinusitis on CT-Scan

Teuku Husni TR; Akramal Umami; Iskandar Zulkarnain; Benny Kurnia; Azwar Ridwan

doi:10.15850/ijihs.v14n1.4932

Authors

Teuku Husni TR Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala/Dr. Zainoel Abidin Regional General Hospital, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Akramal Umami Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala/Dr. Zainoel Abidin Regional General Hospital, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Iskandar Zulkarnain Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala/Dr. Zainoel Abidin Regional General Hospital, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Benny Kurnia Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala/Dr. Zainoel Abidin Regional General Hospital, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Azwar Ridwan Department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala/Dr. Zainoel Abidin Regional General Hospital, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15850/ijihs.v14n1.4932

Keywords:

Chronic rhinosinusitis, computed tomography, nasal septum, paranasal sinuses, sinus mucosa

Abstract

Background: Nasal septal deviation is a common structural anomaly of the nasal cavity and a potential risk factor for obstruction of the ostiomeatal complex, which may compromise ventilation and drainage of the paranasal sinuses. Consequently, patients with septal deviation may be at increased risk of developing chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Objective: To examine the association between nasal septal deviation and paranasal sinus mucosal thickening in patients with CRS using CT imaging. Methods: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. Zainoel Abidin Regional General Hospital (RSUDZA), Banda Aceh. Medical records and paranasal sinus CT scans of patients with CRS from January 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively reviewed during a four-month study period (August–November 2024). A total of 46 eligible patients were included, and the association was analyzed using Fisher's exact test.

Results: Among 46 patients with CRS, nasal septal deviation was identified in 30 (65.2%): 17 (37.0%) had rightward deviation and 13 (28.3%) had leftward deviation, whereas 16 (34.8%) had no deviation. Mucosal thickening was detected in 32 patients (69.6%), most commonly in the maxillary sinus (36.95%), followed by the ethmoid sinus (19.56%). Nasal septal deviation was significantly associated with paranasal sinus mucosal thickening (p=0.002; odds ratio, 10.83; 95% CI, 2.60–45.16).

Conclusion: Nasal septal deviation was significantly associated with paranasal sinus mucosal thickening in patients with CRS undergoing paranasal sinus CT examination at RSUDZA, Banda Aceh. Given the cross-sectional design, this finding indicates an association rather than causation.