Relationship between Severity of Nasal Septum Deviation and Pneumatization of Mastoid Cells and Chronic Otitis Media

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nasal septum deviation (NSD) is one of the leading causes of chronic otitis media and pneumatization of mastoid air cells. In this study, the effect of NSD on pneumatization of mastoid cells and the relationship between NSD and chronic otitis media were investigated using CT scan. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 75 paranasal sinus CT scans with NSD and mastoid view were investigated. Patients were divided into three groups based on the severity of NSD: mild (deviation less than 9 degrees, 25 patients), moderate (deviation from 9 to 15 degrees, 25 patients) and severe (deviation equal to or greater than 15 degrees, 25 patients). Chronic otitis media is defined as the presence of bone destruction or sclerosis accompanied by mass fluid or structural changes in temporal bone air cells. The pneumatization of mastoid cells was determined visually and as formation of mastoid air cells. FINDINGS: There was no significant difference in the frequency of pneumatization of mastoid cells between mild (25 patients, 100%), moderate (25 patients, 100%) and severe (23 patients, 92%) nasal septum deviation (p = 0.128). However, the prevalence of chronic otitis media was significantly higher in severe NSD (13 patients, 52%) compared to mild (4 patients, 16%) and moderate (9 patients, 36%) NSD (p = 0.028) CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that the severity of NSD does not have an effect on pneumatization of mastoid cells, but severe NSD increases the frequency of otitis media