Nasal septum changes in adolescent patients treated with rapid maxillary expansion.

Objective: To analyze cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans to measure changes in nasal septal deviation (NSD) after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) treatment in adolescent patients.

Methods: This retrospective study involved 33 patients presenting with moderate to severe nasal septum deviation as an incidental finding. Out of these 33 patients, 26 were treated for transverse maxillary constriction with RME and seven, who did not undergo RME treatment, were included in the study as control group.

Analyzing nasal septal deviations to develop a new classification system: a computed tomography study using MATLAB and OsiriX.

IMPORTANCE Accurately characterizing nasal septal deviations is valuable for surgical planning, classifying nasal septal deviations, providing a means to accurately perform outcomes research, and understanding the causes of chronic conditions. OBJECTIVE To determine and quantify regions of septal deformity that can be used to develop a comprehensive classification system. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective case series study was conducted at an academic tertiary care hospital.