Raag Reeti, Rajib Kundu
BACKGROUND Sinonasal problems are a group of common conditions faced by otorhinolaryngologists in clinical practice. Much of these troubles have been attributed to a deviated nasal septum (DNS). It is presumed that these deviations lead to nasal blockage, imperfect aeration and obstructive and inflammatory pathology in the paranasal sinuses. The present descriptive radiological study attempts to detect the number of patients with a DNS in cases of sinonasal problems by studying coronal sections of the head and neck using computerised axial tomography scan (CAT scan or CT scan). MATERIALS AND METHODS 150 patients attending the radiology clinic and referred by the ENT department were selected for the study. A series of coronal section images were done using the CT scan. The number of cases with DNS were assessed and compared with the studies of other workers. RESULTS 52% of the patients enrolled in the present study were found to have a nasal septal deviation. The distribution was almost equal in males and females. Occasionally a concha bullosa was found to be responsible for the condition. CONCLUSION DNS is a common feature in patients with sinonasal disease. The causality of the DNS in the disease process is not easily determined. Therefore, surgical correction of the DNS in the hope of a cure for the sinonasal problems has to be taken after carefully weighing up the pros and cons of nasal septal surgery.
