title: Correlation of nasal obstruction with nasal cross-sectional area measured by computed tomography in patients with nasal septal deviation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the subjective sensation of nasal obstruction and the corresponding cross-sectional area for nasal airflow in patients with a deviated septum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-one patients with a diagnosis of unilateral nasal obstruction due to a deviated nasal septum were evaluated by preoperative computed tomography. Anterior anatomic characteristics (the internal nasal valve angle and the cross-sectional areas at the external nasal valve, the head of the inferior turbinate, and the head of the middle turbinate) and posterior anatomic factors (the cross-sectional areas at the openings of the frontal sinus, maxillary sinus, and end of the nasal septum) were examined. Associations between the computed tomography measurements and the subjective severity of nasal obstruction were analyzed with a visual analog scale (VAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anterior and posterior anatomic characteristics were associated with the subjective severity of nasal obstruction. Anterior anatomic factors were related to the VAS scores of patients with anterior septal deviation, and posterior anatomic factors were related to the VAS scores of patients with posterior septal deviation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicated that the anterior and posterior parts of the nasal cavity are both related to nasal obstruction. In some patients, the posterior part of the nasal cavity was more important than other locations in causing nasal obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Gye Song
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Jeoung Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yong Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Jang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012225:Rhinoplasty; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult