Mucociliary Transport and Histologic Characteristics of the Mucosa of Deviated Nasal Septum

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Abstract
THE SEVERITY of septal deviations, their location, shape, and complexity all influence airflow dynamics in the nasal cavity. Thus, in the bilateral nasal cavities of subjects with nasal septal deviation (NSD), a difference may occur in the amount of airflow and resistance.1 In response to the difference in airflow dynamics between nasal cavities in NSD, a compensatory hypertrophy of the nasal mucosa on the side of the nose opposite the major septal deviation is often found.2 In addition to the compensatory hypertrophy, an impaired mucociliary clearance, higher incidence of ostiomeatal complex obstruction, and increased incidence of sinusitis have been reported in subjects with NSD.3-7 Interestingly, sinusitis has been reported to be more severe in the concave side than in the convex side,5 although a significant association with ethmoid sinus disease on the convex side has been reported.6 Ostiomeatal complex obstruction and resultant sinusitis in the direction of septal angulation were attributable to nasal septal deformity.7 However, contralateral ostiomeatal complex obstruction was suggested to be related to middle-turbinate and lateral-nasal-wall abnormalities, which appeared with increased frequency on the side opposite the septal deviation.7