Computed Tomography Evaluation of Nasal Bone and Nasal Pyramid in the Turkish Population

Objective: To classify shapes of the nasal bones in the Turkish population and comparatively evaluate the sizes of nasal bone and piriform apertures. Methods: Two-and three-dimensional paranasal sinus computed tomography images of 363 patients were evaluated. Upper, intermediate, and inferior thickness of bilateral nasal bones and thickness of medial and lateral osteotomy line were measured. The shapes of the nasal bones were classified. Results: The mean thickness of nasal bone in the study participants was 1.99 +/- 0.40 mm, the mean thickness at the level of medial osteotomy line was 1.99 +/- 0.40 mm, the mean thickness at the level of lateral osteotomy line was 1.75 +/- 0.30 mm, the mean length of nasal bone was 1.75 +/- 0.30 mm, maximum width and height of piriform aperture were 23.41 +/- 2.68 and 36.76 +/- 7.06 mm, respectively. When the patients were classified according to the type of nasal bone, 26.7% had type A, 10.5% had type B, 19.6% had type D, and 15.4% had type E nasal bone. Conclusion: The results of the current study provide information about morphological characteristics of nasal bone and piriform aperture in the Turkish population and would therefore reduce postoperative complications after reconstructive surgery and contribute otolaryngology and anthropology.