Şule ERDEM, Şuheda ERDEM
Anatolian Current Medical Journal - 2026;8(1):153-158
Aims: The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between the severity and direction of nasal septum deviation (NSD) and maxillary sinus pneumatization using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Secondary aims were to examine possible associations between maxillary sinus volume (MSV) and demographic or anatomical factors such as age, sex, and posterior tooth loss. Methods: CBCT scans of 174 adults (94 females, 80 males; mean age: 42.8+/-17.4 years) were retrospectively evaluated. The NSD angle was determined on coronal sections with the software's angle measurement tool, whereas MSV were obtained through volume tool. Posterior tooth loss was recorded for each side, excluding third molars. Statistical analyses were performed using t-tests and correlation analyses to assess relationships among NSD parameters, sinus volumes, and demographic variables. Results: Significantly larger mean sinus volumes and greater NSD angles were observed in males compared with females (p<0.05). No significant correlation was detected between NSD angle and MSV , although sinus volumes tended to be smaller on the deviated side. A significant negative correlation was identified between age and MSV bilaterally (p<0.05). Posterior tooth loss was found to be mildly but significantly associated with reduced right MSV (p<0.05), while no significant association was detected on the left side (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that NSD severity and direction exert no significant influence on maxillary sinus pneumatization. However, age, sex, and posterior tooth loss appear to be important determinants of sinus volume. These findings indicate that maxillary sinus pneumatization is a multifactorial process and cannot be explained by NSD alone.
