Serrated Inferior Turbinate Variation and Sinonasal Findings on CBCT

NCT07739927 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026/297
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 105
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Nasal Cavity; CBCT Segmentation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Maxillary sinus mucosal thickness associated with serrated inferior turbinate variation

  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 Outcomes (1)

• Presence of polypoid mucosal thickening and mucous retention cysts in the maxillary sinus

  At the time of CBCT image evaluation

Interventions

No intervention (retrospective CBCT imaging analysis) OTHER

This is a retrospective observational imaging study. No intervention, treatment, or procedure will be assigned to participants. Existing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images obtained for routine diagnostic purposes will be evaluated.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

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

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research Hospital: lead

Central Study Contacts

Dilara Nil GÜNAÇAR

CONTACT

+905412940104; dilaranil.tomrukcu@erdogan.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CROSSOVER
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assoc.Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 28, 2026
• First Posted: July 31, 2026
• Study Start: July 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 30, 2026
• Last Updated: July 31, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07