Evaluation of the angulation of the nasal septum deviation as an anatomical variation for increased frequency of antral pseudocyst: A cone beam computed tomography study

Abstract

Abstract Background: To determine whether degree of the nasal septum deviation (NSD) can affect the frequency of antral pseudocyst (AP) formation by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and methods: This retrospective study was included 466 CBCT images. The NSD were categorized into four groups according to the degree: Control group (no NSD, 0°-2°), Group A (2°-9°), Group B (9°-15°), and Group C (≥15°). The predictor variables were demographic factors (patient's age and gender) and anatomic factors (different degrees of nasal septum angulation). The outcome variable was presence of AP.

Results: Of the 466 cases, 242 (51.9%) had no NSD, 66 (14.2%) had an angle of 2°-9°, 111 (23.8%) had an angle of 9°-15°, and 47 (10.1%) had an angle of over 15°. The prevalence of AP was 2.04 (95% CI, 1.37 to 3.03; p=0.001) times higher in the presence of NSD. Significant increases in presence of AP occurred with NSD in Group A (2.37 times higher; P=.003) and Group B (2.07 times higher; P=.003) compared to control by univariate analysis.

Conclusions: Although there is no sufficient evidence to suggest that NSD is a definitive etiological factor for AP development, our findings indicated that NSD increased the risk of AP formation.