Prevalence of deformities and perforations of the nasal septum and their influence on the paranasal sinuses state according to cone-beam computed tomography

In the structure of upper respiratory tract lesions in both adults and children, the most significant proportion is made up of individuals with a pathology of the nose and paranasal sinuses, the annual increase of patients is from 1.5 to 2%. Objective. To study the prevalence of deformities and defects of the nasal septum in rhinologic patients and their relationship with the state of the mucosa of the paranasal sinuses according to the data of cone-beam computed tomography. Material and methods. An analysis of 1000 cone-beam tomograms, performed in 2023 in patients with pathology of the nose and paranasal sinuses, was done. Results. A significant deviation of the nasal septum has been observed in 54.2% of the examined patients, radiological signs of sinusitis (change in pneumatization of the paranasal sinuses) have been determined in 64.4%. Deviations of the nasal septum have been found among men by 12.8% more often than in women, that has been characterized by a more frequent change in the paranasal sinuses state. Perforations of the nasal septum have been detected in 0.9% of cases. There were no statistically significant associations between the deformity and defects of the nasal septum and the change in the pneumatization of the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses. At the same time, statistically significant relationships between the deformity and defects of the nasal septum and the state of the frontal and sphenoid sinuses have been found. Conclusion. The obtained data can be useful in planning professional training, material and technical equipment of healthcare facilities involved in the treatment of patients with pathology of the nose and paranasal sinuses, argumentation of indications for surgical interventions on the nasal septum.