ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS OF THE NASAL SEPTUM: A COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY STUDY.

Aim To determine the frequency of anatomic variations of the nasal septum using computed tomography (CT) scans. Materials and Methods The present study was conducted using CT imaging of the lateral nasal wall, nasal septum, and paranasal air sinuses. The study population comprised patients referred to the radiology departments of Government ENT Hospital, Koti, Hyderabad, and Gandhi Hospital, Musheerabad, Secunderabad over a period of six months, from May 1st, 2016, to September 30th, 2016. Results In this study, the nasal septum was categorized under three headings: no deviation, unilateral deviation, and bilateral deviation. Among these categories, unilateral septal deviation was the most prevalent, observed in 82% of cases. Bilateral septal deviation was the least common, found in only 2% of cases. These findings are consistent with those reported in previous studies. Conclusion The study highlights the prevalence of unilateral septal deviation as the most common anatomic variation of the nasal septum, with bilateral deviation being rare. The results align with existing literature on the subject, underscoring the utility of CT scans in identifying and categorizing septal deviations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]