Nasal Septal Swell Body: Radiologic Characteristics and the Relationship to Nasal Septal Deviation

Lee, Seung Ju; Lee, Eun Sub

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
To analyze the radiographic dimensions of the nasal septal swell body and to find a relationship between the septal body (SB) thickness and the degree of septal deviation.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
One hundred eighteen ostiomeatal units computed tomographic scans were reviewed retrospectively. Dimensions of the SB, distances to other landmarks and the degree of septal deviation were measured.
RESULTS
The SB was 4.7 mm thick on the average, with the mean width of 11.4±1.7 mm, the height of 18.2±3.4 mm, and the length of 25.1±4.6 mm. The point of greatest prominence of SB was 23.7±2.7 mm from the nasal floor, which is 1.8±2.2 mm lower than the rhinion; it is also 5.0±2.6 mm anterior to the caudal end of the middle turbinate, and 4.5±2.8 mm posterior to the caudal end of the inferior turbinate. In 62 of the 78 cases with septal deviation, the SB was larger on the side opposite the deviation. The mean difference in the SB thickness of ipsilateral and contralateral to a septal deviation was 3.4 mm, 2.3 mm and 1.4 mm, for cases with severe, moderate and mild septal deviation, respectively. The difference in SB thickness was found to correlate with the degree of septal deviation.
CONCLUSION
The SB is a structure of 11Ã—18Ã—25 mm in size, and like inferior turbinate, it is more prominent contralateral to a septal deviation. SB, situated in the nasal valve region, may have a role in regulating nasal airflow and may contribute to nasal obstruction.