ABSTRACT
Introduction The inferior turbinate (IT) is the most susceptible turbinate to enlargement causing nasal obstruction. The common belief ascribes most of the enlargement of the IT to mucosal elements. Objective This study aimed to investigate the detailed computed tomography (CT) measurement of the IT in asymptomatic adult by determining the thickness of both the non-bony (mucosa) and bony parts and their relation to nasal air space in different related areas of the nose. Methods We included in the study paranasal CT scans of 108 individuals (216 IT) that had no paranasal pathology. We acquired axial images with multiplanar reformates to obtain delicate details in coronal and sagittal planes for all subjects. We took separate measurements of the thickness of the medial mucosa, bones, and lateral mucosa of the IT on the anterior and posterior portions of ITs. We also measured the air space of the nasal cavity between the septum and IT anteriorly and posteriorly. Results The difference in the air space between nasal septum, anterior and posterior ends of IT was extremely statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The thickness of the medial mucosa was extremely significantly more than the lateral mucosa width (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in length of IT at both sides ( p = 0.5781). Conclusion The detailed CT measurement of the IT in normal adult is an easy and novel measurement. This study lays the foundation for CT measurement of IT for further work that can describe changes in IT measures after turbinate surgery.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction The inferior turbinate (IT) is the most susceptible turbinate to enlargement causing nasal obstruction. The common belief ascribes most of the enlargement of the IT to mucosal elements. Objective This study aimed to investigate the detailed computed tomography (CT) measurement of the IT in asymptomatic adult by determining the thickness of both the non-bony (mucosa) and bony parts and their relation to nasal air space in different related areas of the nose. Methods We included in the study paranasal CT scans of 108 individuals (216 IT) that had no paranasal pathology. We acquired axial images with multiplanar reformates to obtain delicate details in coronal and sagittal planes for all subjects. We took separate measurements of the thickness of themedialmucosa, bones, and lateralmucosa of the IT on the anterior and posterior portions of ITs. We also measured the air space of the nasal cavity between the septum and IT anteriorly and posteriorly. Results The difference in the air space between nasal septum, anterior and posterior ends of IT was extremely statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The thickness of the medial mucosa was extremely significantly more than the lateral mucosa width (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in length of IT at both sides (p = 0.5781). Conclusion The detailed CT measurement of the IT in normal adult is an easy and novel measurement. This study lays the foundation for CT measurement of IT for further work that can describe changes in IT measures after turbinate surgery.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the detailed computed tomography (CT) measurement of the nasopharynx (NP) in normal adult detecting mean of its dimension and relation of that measurement to that of the sphenoid sinus. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL: A normal paranasal CT scan and a straight nasal septum of 128 individuals (256 sphenoid sinuses) were included in the study. Axial images were acquired with multiplanar reformates to obtain delicate details in coronal and sagittal planes for all subjects. Measurement of the width, length, and anteroposterior dimensions of the NP and sphenoid sinuses were taken separately. RESULTS: In 128 studied CT of adult subjects, the mean height of the NP was 19.4619â±â4.52661 and mean depth was 21.80714â±â4.62324 while the mean width was 25.31951â±â3.80521. No significant relations between diameters of NP and sphenoid sinuses were found. CONCLUSION: The detailed CT measurement of the NP in normal adult is an easy and reliable measurement. This study put the base of CT measurement of NP for further work to describe changes in such measures in patients with nasal and paranasal sinus anomalies.
