Nasal Septal Swell Body is a Universal Anatomical Structure: Endoscopic Grading and CT-Based Morphometric Analysis in Patients with Nasal Obstruction
ME Sivrice, M Balaban, H Yasan, E Okur, M Tüz, YÇ Kumbul, YE Ekinci, F YeşilkuşBackground:
The nasal septal swell body (NSSB) is a structure that influences nasal airflow and may contribute to nasal obstruction when hypertrophied.
Aim:
To evaluate the prevalence, gender distribution, and size characteristics of NSSB, which play a role in nasal breathing physiology, endoscopically and radiologically.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 148 patients who presented with nasal congestion between January and July 2025. All patients underwent nasal endoscopic examinations. NSSB was classified using an endoscopic grading score. Width and height measurements were taken from the widest surface of the NSSB in coronal sections of paranasal sinus computed tomography (PNS CT). The obtained data were statistically analyzed in terms of age, gender, NSSB grade score, and size measurements.
Results:
NSSB was detected in all patients included in the study (100%). Of the study population, 40.5% were female and 59.5% were male, with a mean age of 36.11 ± 16.76 years. No significant relationship was found between age and NSSB dimensions. A weak positive correlation was found between NSSB width and height (
Conclusion:
The detection of NSSB in all cases suggests that this structure may be more prevalent than previously reported in the literature. It is important to consider the NSSB hypertrophy in the evaluation of patients presenting with nasal obstruction due to its effect on narrowing the nasal valve.