Nasal Swell Body Characteristics in Patients With Septal Perforation

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether septal perforations have an effect on nasal swell body (NSB) size. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Two tertiary academic medical centers. METHODS: Computed tomography maxillofacial scans of 126 patients with septal perforation and 140 control patients from November 2010 to December 2020 were evaluated. Perforation etiology was determined. Measurements included perforation length and height and swell body width, height, and length. Swell body volume was calculated. RESULTS: The width and volume of the NSB are significantly smaller in perforation patients when compared to controls. The swell body is significantly smaller and thinner in perforations exceeding 14 mm in height compared to small perforations. Perforation etiology groupings into prior septal surgery, septal trauma, septal inflammatory, and mucosal vasoconstriction categories all demonstrated decreased swell body volume and width compared to controls. Inflammatory etiology had the greatest decrease in swell body size. The hemi‐swell body on the contralateral side of a septal deviation is significantly thicker than the ipsilateral side. CONCLUSION: The NSB is smaller in patients with septal perforation regardless of perforation size or etiology.