Introduction: Nasal septal deviation may contribute to facial asymmetry. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between nasal septal deviation and facial asymmetry using three-dimensional geometric morphometric methods.
Methods: Computed tomographic scans were made of n=55 adult subjects, and septal deviation was calculated as a percentage of septal volume relative to the volume of a modeled non-deviated septum. Skeletal landmarks representing nasal, palatal, and lateral facial regions were recorded, and landmark data was superimposed using Procrustes analysis. ANOVA/MANOVA tests determined degree of overall fluctuating and directional asymmetry. Finally, correlation analysis and multivariate regression were used to examine relationship between septal deviation and asymmetry of the individual facial regions.
Results: Septal deviation was significantly correlation with lateral deviation of the nasal floor, vertical and lateral asymmetry of the anterior palate and width asymmetry of the posterior posterior palate and posterior alveolar thickness, but was uncorrelated with the overall magnitude of asymmetry. There was no correlation between septal deviation and lateral facial asymmetry.
Conclusion: Nasal septal morphology is linked to nasal and palatal asymmetry. Deviated growth of the septum may pre-dispose patients to dental and skeletal asymmetries that have important orthodontic considerations.