A CEPHALOMETRIC ANALYSES OF NASAL SEPTAL GROWTH AND INFLUENCE TO THE MIDFACE

In planning surgery of the developing nasal septum in children, knowledge of the normal growth patterns of the nasal septum and its related craniofacial structures is essential.In a study using lateral cranial radiographs of 18 males and 20 females (age 10-18 years) the anterior nasal spine-nasion (ANS-N) and anterior nasal spine-posterior nasal spine (ANS-PNS) distance were measured and related to age and gender. The development of both dimensions is best described by negative exponential functions. However, this study shows that these changes and interactive dependence of nasal septum and craniofacial structures have maximal sensitivity that will be determined in the future investigations.