open access

Vol 75, No 1 (2016)
Original article
Submitted: 2015-05-28
Accepted: 2015-06-11
Published online: 2016-02-29
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Age-related changes of nasal cavity and conchae volumes and volume fractions in children: a stereological study

T. Ertekin, M. Değermenci, M. Nisari, E. Unur, A. Coşkun
DOI: 10.5603/FM.a2015.0078
·
Pubmed: 26365850
·
Folia Morphol 2016;75(1):38-47.

open access

Vol 75, No 1 (2016)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2015-05-28
Accepted: 2015-06-11
Published online: 2016-02-29

Abstract

Background: The anatomy of the human nasal cavity (NC) is complex and its structures are closely related to the functions of the NC. Studies which assessing the mean volumes of NC and conchae are very infrequent. The purpose of current study is to investigate development of NC and conchae according to age and sex by using stereological method.

Materials and methods: This retrospective volumetric study was carried out on 342 individuals (166 females and 176 males) between 0 and 18 years old with no pathological conditions or medical procedures that affected the skeletal morphology of the NC. Volumetric estimations were determined on computed tomography (CT) images using point-counting approach of stereological methods.

Results: NC, inferior nasal conchae (INC) and middle nasal conchae (MNC) volume measurements that obtained using point-counting method were increased with age in both sexes until 15 years old. Regardless of gender; no significant difference was determined between the left and right values for NC, conchae volumes and choanae measurements. Generally, significant differences were determined in NC and INC volumes according to gender after they reached maximum growth period. According to age the volume ratios of INC to NC and MNC to NC were ranged from 18% to 32% and 9% to15%, respectively.

Conclusions: The current study demonstrated that the point-counting method is effective in determining volume estimation of NC and is well suited for CT studies. Our results could provide volumetric indexes for the NC and conchae, which could help the physician for both patient selections for surgery, and for the assessment of any surgical technique used to treatment of nasal obstruction. (  

Abstract

Background: The anatomy of the human nasal cavity (NC) is complex and its structures are closely related to the functions of the NC. Studies which assessing the mean volumes of NC and conchae are very infrequent. The purpose of current study is to investigate development of NC and conchae according to age and sex by using stereological method.

Materials and methods: This retrospective volumetric study was carried out on 342 individuals (166 females and 176 males) between 0 and 18 years old with no pathological conditions or medical procedures that affected the skeletal morphology of the NC. Volumetric estimations were determined on computed tomography (CT) images using point-counting approach of stereological methods.

Results: NC, inferior nasal conchae (INC) and middle nasal conchae (MNC) volume measurements that obtained using point-counting method were increased with age in both sexes until 15 years old. Regardless of gender; no significant difference was determined between the left and right values for NC, conchae volumes and choanae measurements. Generally, significant differences were determined in NC and INC volumes according to gender after they reached maximum growth period. According to age the volume ratios of INC to NC and MNC to NC were ranged from 18% to 32% and 9% to15%, respectively.

Conclusions: The current study demonstrated that the point-counting method is effective in determining volume estimation of NC and is well suited for CT studies. Our results could provide volumetric indexes for the NC and conchae, which could help the physician for both patient selections for surgery, and for the assessment of any surgical technique used to treatment of nasal obstruction. (  

Get Citation

Keywords

nasal cavity, stereology, volume, computed tomography

About this article
Title

Age-related changes of nasal cavity and conchae volumes and volume fractions in children: a stereological study

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 75, No 1 (2016)

Article type

Original article

Pages

38-47

Published online

2016-02-29

Page views

1795

Article views/downloads

1360

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2015.0078

Pubmed

26365850

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2016;75(1):38-47.

Keywords

nasal cavity
stereology
volume
computed tomography

Authors

T. Ertekin
M. Değermenci
M. Nisari
E. Unur
A. Coşkun

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