Serrated Inferior Turbinate Variation and Sinonasal Findings on CBCT
Evaluation of the Relationship Between Serrated Inferior Turbinate Variation, Maxillary Sinus Mucosal Thickness, and Sinonasal Anatomical Structures Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
regulate nasal airflow, humidify and filter inspired air. Serrated inferior turbinate is a rare anatomical variation characterized by an irregular, serrated appearance of the inferior turbinate bone. Although this variation has been described in radiological studies, its possible relationship with maxillary sinus mucosal changes and other sinonasal anatomical features remains unclear.
This retrospective observational study aims to evaluate the relationship between serrated inferior turbinate variation and maxillary sinus mucosal thickness, mucosal abnormalities, and other sinonasal anatomical structures using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.
CBCT images obtained from patients who underwent imaging for routine diagnostic purposes will be retrospectively reviewed. The presence of serrated inferior turbinate variation, maxillary sinus findings, inferior turbinate measurements, and nasal septum characteristics will be evaluated.
The study aims to improve understanding of the radiological significance of serrated inferior turbinate variation and to provide information that may contribute to more accurate evaluation and reporting of sinonasal anatomical variations.
Study Overview
Status
Conditions
Intervention / Treatment
Detailed Description
The nasal cavity contains several anatomical structures that contribute to normal respiratory function, including regulation of airflow, filtration, humidification, and temperature control of inspired air. The inferior turbinate is a key component of the lateral nasal wall and consists of a bony framework covered by vascular mucosa. Variations in the morphology and dimensions of the inferior turbinate may influence nasal airflow and the anatomical relationship between the nasal cavity and adjacent sinonasal structures.
Serrated inferior turbinate is a rare anatomical variation characterized by irregular serrated bony contours along the medial surface of the inferior turbinate. Previous studies have mainly focused on the prevalence and morphological description of inferior turbinate variations; however, the potential association between serrated inferior turbinate variation and maxillary sinus mucosal changes has not been sufficiently investigated.
Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides three-dimensional, high-resolution imaging of the maxillofacial region and allows detailed assessment of bony structures, paranasal sinuses, and sinonasal anatomical variations. In this study, CBCT images will be retrospectively analyzed to determine whether the presence of serrated inferior turbinate variation is associated with changes in the ipsilateral maxillary sinus mucosa and other sinonasal anatomical parameters.
The study population will consist of individuals who underwent CBCT imaging for routine diagnostic purposes. Images will be evaluated for the presence or absence of serrated inferior turbinate variation. Additional radiological assessments will include maxillary sinus mucosal thickness, presence of polypoid mucosal thickening or retention cysts, inferior turbinate dimensions, nasal septal deviation angle, and other sinonasal anatomical findings.
All evaluations will be performed on existing CBCT datasets without additional imaging procedures or interventions. Patient confidentiality will be maintained throughout the study, and all analyses will be performed using anonymized imaging data.
The findings of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the clinical and radiological significance of serrated inferior turbinate variation and may improve the assessment and reporting of sinonasal anatomical variations in CBCT examinations.
Study Type
Enrollment (Estimated)
Contacts and Locations
Study Contact
- Name: dilara nil günaçar
- Phone Number: +905412940104
- Email: dilaranil.tomrukcu@erdogan.edu.tr
Participation Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
Ages Eligible for Study
- Adult
- Older Adult
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Sampling Method
Study Population
The study population will consist of adult individuals aged 18-75 years who underwent cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging for routine diagnostic purposes at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology between January 2025 and June 2026.
Existing CBCT images from the institutional radiology archive will be retrospectively reviewed. The study population will include individuals whose CBCT images provide adequate visualization of the maxillary sinuses, nasal cavity, ostiomeatal complex, and inferior turbinates for evaluation of sinonasal anatomical structures.
Patients with craniofacial anomalies, maxillofacial trauma, previous sinonasal surgery, pathological conditions affecting the evaluated anatomical structures, or CBCT images unsuitable for accurate assessment will be excluded.
The study aims to evaluate the relationship between serrated inferior turbinate variation, maxillary sinus mucosal thickness, and other sin
Description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Individuals aged 18-75 years.
- Patients who underwent cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging for routine diagnostic purposes between January 2025 and June 2026.
- CBCT images including both maxillary sinuses, nasal cavity, ostiomeatal complex, and inferior turbinates.
- CBCT images with sufficient diagnostic quality and clearly visible anatomical boundaries for evaluation and measurements.
- CBCT images in which the anatomical landmarks required for nasal septal deviation angle measurement (crista galli, maxillary spine, and the most deviated point of the nasal septum) can be clearly identified.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with maxillofacial trauma, fractures, or conditions affecting the midface anatomy.
- Patients with congenital craniofacial anomalies (e.g., cleft lip and palate) or syndromes affecting facial anatomy.
- Patients with a history of sinonasal, inferior turbinate, or maxillary sinus surgery.
- CBCT images with insufficient diagnostic quality, motion artifacts, or metal artifacts preventing accurate evaluation.
- Patients with pathological lesions affecting the maxillary sinus or nasal cavity anatomy, including cysts, tumors, or aggressive inflammatory lesions.
- CBCT findings suggestive of fungal sinusitis, including heterogeneous hyperdense contents, calcifications, bone expansion, or invasive changes.
Study Plan
How is the study designed?
Design Details
What is the study measuring?
Primary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Maxillary sinus mucosal thickness associated with serrated inferior turbinate variation
Time Frame: At the time of CBCT image evaluation
|
The maximum mucosal thickness of the ipsilateral maxillary sinus will be measured in millimeters (mm) on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and compared between sides with serrated inferior turbinate variation and sides without this variation.
|
At the time of CBCT image evaluation
|
Secondary Outcome Measures
Outcome Measure |
Measure Description |
Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
Presence of polypoid mucosal thickening and mucous retention cysts in the maxillary sinus
Time Frame: At the time of CBCT image evaluation
|
The presence or absence of polypoid mucosal thickening and mucous retention cysts in the maxillary sinus will be evaluated on CBCT images.
|
At the time of CBCT image evaluation
|
Collaborators and Investigators
Study record dates
Study Major Dates
Study Start (Estimated)
Primary Completion (Estimated)
Study Completion (Estimated)
Study Registration Dates
First Submitted
First Submitted That Met QC Criteria
First Posted (Actual)
Study Record Updates
Last Update Posted (Actual)
Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria
Last Verified
More Information
Terms related to this study
Other Study ID Numbers
- 2026/297
Drug and device information, study documents
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product
This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.