ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate nasal septum deviation (NSD), nasal bone length (NBL), and the morphology of the middle nasal conchae (MNC) and inferior nasal conchae (INC), as well as their correlations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample included 56 cone-beam computed tomography scans divided into two groups: a study group (SG; individuals with NF1; n = 28) and a control group (CG; individuals without NF1; n = 28). NSD, NBL, MNC, and INC classifications were assessed. MNC images were classified as normal, bullous, paradoxical, secondary, and accessory. INC images were classified as normal, lamellar, compact, combined, and bullous. Intra- and interobserver reliability were evaluated. RESULTS: SG had a mean NSD of 11.6° (±4.5°) compared with 9.6° (±3.2°) for the CG, showing moderate deviations with no significant difference between groups. SG had a mean NBL of 22.4 mm (±3.4 mm) compared with 22.1 mm (±3.2 mm) for the CG, with a statistically significant difference. Both groups exhibited normal, bullosa, and accessory MNC classifications. SG INC were normal, lamellar, and combined, whereas CG INC were normal and lamellar. There was a weak correlation between NSD and NBL across groups. CONCLUSION: Individuals with NF1 showed longer NBL. The weak correlation between NSD and NBL suggested multifactorial influences on these variations. These findings advance our understanding of craniofacial development in NF1 and highlight the need for further research into nasal cavity involvement in this complex genetic disorder.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical and radiographic repercussions of surgically assisted maxillary expansion on the septum, nasal cavity and nasal conchae. The sample was made up of 15 patients with skeletal maturity (9 females and 6 males between 16 and 45 years of age) and maxillary transverse deficiency. Assessments were performed through anterior rhinoscopy and frontal cephalometric radiographs on three occasions: (T0) preoperative period, (T1) locking of the expander and (T2) six months following the locking procedure. An increase was observed in the basal portion of the pyriform aperture and distances between the lateral wall of the basal portion of the pyriform aperture and the septum. The radiographic exam revealed that the nasal septum did not undergo any statistically significant change in its position. Moreover, no significant changes in the position of the nasal septum or nasal conchae were detected throughout the three evaluation times. The results suggest that surgically assisted maxillary expansion is capable of widening the basal portion of the pyriform aperture, with little repercussion on the anterior position of the nasal septum and inferior nasal conchae.