Original Article |
Corresponding author: Emrah Doğan ( emrahdogan@mu.edu.tr ) © 2022 Emrah Doğan, Mihriban Rabia Kilinç.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Doğan E, Kilinç MR (2022) Evaluation of paranasal anatomical variations with multidetector CT in Turkish population. Folia Medica 64(3): 513-520. https://doi.org/10.3897/folmed.64.e62633
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Abstract
Aim: The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of the paranasal sinus (PNS) variations/aspects of healthy population in Turkey with multidetector computed tomography and to evaluate the relationship of these variations/aspects with each other and difference according to gender and side.
Materials and methods: Twenty-four different PNS variations/aspects of 234 healthy patients and a total of 468 bilateral sides were evaluated. Patients were compared with Pearson’s chi-squared test (χ2) according to gender and side. Also, all variations were compared with each other in the same way, and correlated variations were found (p<0.05 was considered significant).
Results: The prevalence of prominent aspects of PNS are as following: tuberculum septi nasi anterior (TSNA) in 93.6%, ethmoid bulla (EB) in 72.65%, nasal deviation (ND) in 65.4%, agger nasi cell (AG) in 63.25% of the patients. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of gender and between right and left sides. P-values of correlated variations/aspects were: EB/uncinate process type (UPT) 2: 0.001; ND/concha bullosa (CB): 0.03; AG/Onodi cell (OC): 0.04; uncinate process deviation (UPD)/maxillary hypoplasia (MH): 0.04.
Conclusions: The most common aspects were TSNA, EB, ND, and AG. The percentages of these anatomical structures mentioned above are far too high to be classified as a variation. They can be described as basic anatomical structures or dominant aspects. There was no difference in the incidence of variations according to gender or side, but significant correlations were found between EB and UPT 2, between ND and CB, between AG and OC, and between MH and UPD.
anatomic variations, computed tomography, maxillofacial, paranasal sinus
Paranasal sinuses (PNS) are one of the regions in the body where the variations are most frequent. It is important to know the patient’s variations/aspects before functional endoscopic sinus surgery.[
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the paranasal sinus (PNS) variations/aspects of the healthy population with multidetector CT (MDCT) in Turkey and to evaluate the relationship of these variations/aspects with each other and difference according to gender and side.
First of all, ethic approval was obtained from the local university’s Human Research Ethics Committee (Muğla Sitki Koçman University) with the document number 200026-2020. Power analysis was performed with G-power test. The sample group was between 141 and 172 for 80% power and 0.05 alfa parameter. The PNS MDCT scans of 288 patients were evaluated in bone and soft tissue windows. We excluded 54 patients from the study for the following medical reasons: polyposis, sinusitis, a history of facial trauma, malignity, or operation. 234 patients (mean age ± standard deviation: 36.6±14 years; age range was 18 to 83 years; 115 males and 119 females) were included in the study. PNS CT images were performed in a 256-slice multi-detector CT scanner (Somatom, Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). The CT protocol was applied: Patient position – prone, the head in extension, slice thickness – coronal 1.5 mm, axial 1 mm, position – 90 degree perpendicular to the infraorbital meatal line, dose parameters – 100 KVp 40 MAs, window width (WW) – 2000-2400, window length (WL) – 400-450.
Bilaterally, 468 sides were evaluated. The 24 different variations/aspects were taken into account. The subjects were selected from the MDCT images obtained between March 2018 and June 2020. The images were assessed over the picture archiving and communication system (PACS).
All of the images were assessed by the two authors who have a long-term experience in head and neck radiology. The double-blinding method was used. Each radiologist evaluated CTs on the coronal, axial, and sagittal planes independently. In case of contradictory results, the images were evaluated by both radiologists together. The data were entered in Microsoft Office Excel file (Excel 2010, Microsoft). Statistical software (SPSS, version 22.0, IBM) was used for analysis. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± SD (standard deviation) values. Qualitative variables were expressed as counts and percentages. All of the data were statistically compared according to gender and side. Finally, the PNS variations were compared cross-match to evaluate the correlation. Pearson’s chi-squared test were used for comparison. P<0.05 values were considered statistically significant.
Nasal deviation (ND) was found in 65.4% (153/234) of the patients. It was deviated towards the right in 29.9% (70/234), towards the left in 35.5% (83/234) of the patients. The remaining 34.9% (81/234) were neutral.
Concha bullosa (CB) was found in 23.1% of the patients. It was seen on the right side in 7.7% (18/234), on the left side in 9% (21/234), bilaterally in 6.4% (15/234) of the patients. The remaining 76.9% (180/234) were normal.
Paradoxical middle turbinate (PMT) was found in 24.8% (58/234) of the patients. It was seen on the right side in 4.7% (11/234), on the left side in 4.7% (11/234), bilaterally in 15.4% (36/234) of the patients. The remaining 75.2% (176/234) were normal.
Superior turbinate pneumatization (STP) was found in 31.2% (73/234) of patients. It was seen on the right side in 10.7% (25/234), on the left side in 8.55% (20/234), bilaterally in 11.95% (28/234) of the patients. The remaining 68.8% (161/234) were normal.
Superior concha agenesis (SCA) was found in 6.8% (16/234) of the patients. It was seen on the right side in 1.7% (4/234), on the left side in 2.55% (6/234), bilaterally in 2.55% (6/234) of the patients. The remaining in 93.2% (218/234) were normal.
Suprema nasal concha (SNC) was observed in 9.4% (22/234) of the patients. It was seen on the right side in 3% (7/234), on the left side in 2.55% (6/234), bilaterally in 3.85% (9/234) of the patients. The remaining 90.6% (212/234) were normal.
Uncinate process pneumatization (UPP) was found in 7.8% (19/234) of patients. It was seen on the right side in 3.85% (9/234), on the left side in 2.55% (6/234), and bilaterally in 1.4% (4/234) of the patients. The remaining 91.9% (215/234) were normal
Uncinate process deviations (UPD) were found medialized in 9.55% (23/234), lateralized in 8.25% (20.234) of the patients.
Among medialized deviations, it was seen on the right side in 4.3% (10/234), on the left side in 3.85% (9/234) of the patients.
Among lateralized deviations, it was seen on the right side in 4.3% (10/234), on the left side in 2.55% (6/234); bilaterally, on the right side in 1.4% (4/234), on the left side in 1.4% (4/234) of the patients. The remaining 81.6% (191/234) were normal.
Uncinate process types (UPT) were found as type 1 in 20.9% (49/468), as type 2 in 28.2% (132/468), as type 3 in 6.8% (32/468), as type 4 in 19.4% (91/468), as type 5 in 21.4% (100/468), and as type 6 in 13.8% (64/468) of the patients.
Ethmoid bulla (EB) was observed in 72.65% (170/234) of patients; it was seen on the right side in 2.15% (5/234), on the left side in 3% (7/234), and bilaterally in 67.5% (158/234) of the patient. The remaining 27.35% (64/234) were normal.
Maxillary hypoplasia (MH) was found in 3.85% (9/234) of the patients. It was seen on the right side in 2.15% (5/234), on the left side in 0.4% (1/234), bilaterally in 1.3% (3/234) of the patients. The remaining 96.15% (225/234) were normal.
Haller cell (HC) was found in 29.9% (70/234) of the patient. It was seen on the right side in 6.4% (15/234), on the left side in 12.8% (30/234), and bilaterally in 10.7% (25/234) of the patients. The remaining 70.1% (164/234) were normal.
Accessory maxillary ostia (AMO) was found in 37.6% (88/234) of the patients. It was seen on the right side in 11.5% (27/234), on the left side in 7.7% (18/234), and bilaterally in 18.4% (43/234) of the patients. The remaining 62.4% (146/234) were normal.
Maxillary septa (MS) was found in 26.5% (62/234) of the patients. It was seen on the right side in 4.3% (10/234), on the left side in 5.55% (13/234), and bilaterally in 16.65% (39/234) of the patients. The remaining 73.5% (172/234) were normal.
Tuberculum septi nasi anterior (TSNA) was found in 93.6% (219/234) of the patients. It was seen on the right side in 6.4% (20/234), on the left side in 8.55% (21/234), bilaterally in 9% (178/234) of the patients. The remaining 76.05% (15/234) were normal.
Crista galli pneumatization (CGP) was found in 4.3% (10/234) of the patients. The remaining 95.7% (224/234) were normal.
Fovea ethmoidalis (FE). Based on the Keros classification, FE was observed bilaterally to be type I (FEK1) in 36.8% (172/468), type II (FEK2) in 59% (276/468), type III (FEK3) in only 4.2% (20/468) of the patients.
Frontal hypoplasia (FH) was found in 10.7% (25/234) of the patients, of which 1.3% (3/234) were on the right side and 9.4% (22/234) on the left side. No bilateral FH was found. The remaining 89.3% (209/234) were normal.
Agger nasi cell (AG) was found in 63.25% (148/234) of patients. It was seen on the right side in 14.5% (34/234), on the left side in 7.3% (17/234), bilaterally in 41.45% (97/234) of the patients. The remaining 36.75% (86/234) were normal.
Khun cells (KH) was found in 40.6% (95/234) of the patients. Kuhn cells were observed to be type 1 (KHT1) in 63.15% (60/95), type II (KHT2) in 9.5% (9/95), type III (KHT3) in 26.3% (25/95), and type IV (KHT4) in 1.05% (1/95) of the patients.
Supraorbital cells (SOC) were found in 37.2% (87/234) of the patients. It was seen on the right side in 6% (14/234), on the left side in 17.1% (40/234), bilaterally in 14.1% (33/234) of the patients. The remaining 62.8% (147/234) were normal.
Sphenoid sinus was presellar (SSPrc) in 24.35% (57/234), sellar (SSSel) in 73.5% (172/234), postsellar (SSPtc) in only 2.15% (5/234) of the patients.
Clinoid pneumatization (CP) was found in 31.6% (74/234). It was seen on the right side in 6.8% (16/234), on the left side in 11.25% (27/234), and bilaterally in 13.55% (31/234) of the patients. The remaining 68.4% (160/234) were normal.
Pterygoid plate pneumatization (PPP) was found in 59.8% (140/234) of the patients. It was seen on the right side in 11.1% (26/234), on the left side in 15.4% (36/234), and bilaterally in 33.3% (78/234) of the patients. The remaining 40.2% (94/234) were normal.
Onodi cell (OC) was found in 30.8% (72/234) of the patients. The remaining 69.2% (162/234) were normal (Table
Variations and common findings | Type | Number | Percentage | P value (gender) | P value (side) |
Nasal deviation | Neutral | 81 | 34.9% | 0.52 | - |
Right | 70 | 29.9% | |||
Left | 83 | 35.5% | |||
Concha bullosa | Non | 180 | 76.9% | 0.73 | 0.62 |
Right | 18 | 7.7% | |||
Left | 21 | 9% | |||
Bilateral | 15 | 6.4% | |||
Paradoxical middle turbinate | Non | 176 | 75.2% | 0.64 | 0.27 |
Right | 11 | 4.7% | |||
Left | 11 | 4.7% | |||
Bilateral | 36 | 15.4% | |||
Superior turbinate pneumatization | Non | 161 | 68.8% | 0.14 | 0.44 |
Right | 25 | 10.7% | |||
Left | 20 | 8.55% | |||
Bilateral | 28 | 11.95% | |||
Superior concha agenesis | Non | 218 | 93.2% | 0.36 | 0.31 |
Right | 4 | 1.7% | |||
Left | 6 | 2.55% | |||
Bilateral | 6 | 2.55% | |||
Suprema nasal concha | Non | 212 | 90.6% | 0.32 | 0.19 |
Right | 7 | 3% | |||
Left | 6 | 2.55% | |||
Bilateral | 9 | 3.85% | |||
Uncinate process pneumatization | Non | 215 | 91.9% | 0.81 | 0.42 |
Right | 9 | 3.85% | |||
Left | 6 | 2.55% | |||
Bilateral | 4 | 1.4% | |||
Uncinate process deviations | Non | 191 | 81.6% | 0.24 | - |
Right medialized | 10 | 4.3% | |||
Right lateralized | 10 | 4.3% | |||
Left medialized | 9 | 3.85% | |||
Left lateralized | 6 | 2.55% | |||
Bilateral medialized | 4 | 1.4% | |||
Bilateral lateralized | 4 | 1.4% | |||
Uncinate process types | Type 1 | 49 | 20.9% | 0.32 | - |
Type 2 | 132 | 28.2% | |||
Type 3 | 32 | 6.8% | |||
Type 4 | 91 | 19.4% | |||
Type 5 | 100 | 21.4% | |||
Type 6 | 64 | 13.8% | |||
Ethmoid bulla | Non | 64 | 27.35% | 0.19 | 0.53 |
Right | 5 | 2.15% | |||
Left | 7 | 3% | |||
Bilateral | 158 | 67.5% | |||
Maxillary hypoplasia | Non | 225 | 96.15% | 0.24 | 0.48 |
Right | 5 | 2.15% | |||
Left | 1 | 0.4% | |||
Bilateral | 3 | 1.3% | |||
Haller cell | Non | 164 | 70.1% | 0.44 | 0.22 |
Right | 15 | 6.4% | |||
Left | 30 | 12.8% | |||
Bilateral | 25 | 10.7% | |||
Accessory maxillary ostia | Non | 146 | 62.4% | 0.48 | 0.19 |
Right | 27 | 11.5% | |||
Left | 18 | 7.7% | |||
Bilateral | 43 | 18.4% | |||
Maxillary septa | Non | 172 | 73.5% | 0.67 | 0.52 |
Right | 10 | 4.3% | |||
Left | 13 | 5.55% | |||
Bilateral | 39 | 16.65% | |||
Tuberculum septi nasi anterior | Non | 15 | 6.4% | 0.21 | 0.89 |
Right | 20 | 8.55% | |||
Left | 21 | 9% | |||
Bilateral | 178 | 76.05% | |||
Crista galli pneumatization | Non | 224 | 95.7% | 0.46 | 0.43 |
Yes | 10 | 4.3% | |||
Fovea ethmoidalis | Keros 1 | 172 | 36.8% | 0.57 | - |
Keros 2 | 276 | 59% | |||
Keros 3 | 20 | 4.2% | |||
Frontal hypoplasia | Non | 209 | 89.3% | 0.39 | 0.29 |
Right | 3 | 1.3% | |||
Left | 22 | 9.4% | |||
Bilateral | 0 | 0% | |||
Agger nasi cell | Non | 86 | 36.75% | 0.67 | 0.43 |
Right | 34 | 14.5% | |||
Left | 17 | 7.3% | |||
Bilateral | 97 | 41.45% | |||
Khun cells | Type I | 139 | 62.8% | 0.24 | - |
Type II | 22 | 9.4% | |||
Type III | 71 | 30.35% | |||
Type IV | 2 | 0.85% | |||
Supraorbital cells | Non | 147 | 62.8% | 0.67 | 0.55 |
Right | 14 | 6% | |||
Left | 40 | 17.1% | |||
Bilateral | 33 | 14.1% | |||
Sphenoid types | Sellar | 57 | 24.35% | 0.49 | - |
Presellar | 172 | 73.5% | |||
Postsellar | 5 | 2.15% | |||
Clinoid pneumatization | Non | 160 | 68.4% | 0.57 | 0.21 |
Right | 16 | 6.8% | |||
Left | 27 | 11.55% | |||
Bilateral | 31 | 13.25% | |||
Pterygoid plate pneumatization | Non | 94 | 40.2% | 0.27 | 0.53 |
Right | 26 | 11.1% | |||
Left | 36 | 15.4% | |||
Bilateral | 78 | 33.3% | |||
Onodi cell | Non | 162 | 69.2% | 0.73 | 0.42 |
Yes | 72 | 30.8% |
PNSs are a group of four pairs of air-filled cavities named according to the bone in which they are located. They perform varying functions including lightening the weight of the head, contributing to the respiratory dynamics, and preventing the damage to vital organs in trauma. They also moisturize the air and help the sound resonance.[
MDCT allows a highly detailed evaluation of the variations in PNS. It has technical advantages such as rapidly collecting data making simultaneous improvements in spatial resolution and volume coverage.[
Based on the results of our study, the most common PNS aspects in the Turkish population are TSNA (93.6%), EB (72.65%), ND (65.4%), AG (63.25 %), and PPP (59.8%). Given the frequency of these entities, the calculated percentages are quite high to constitute a variation. Terminologically, it can be erroneous to describe them as a variation. Indeed, they are the dominant aspects of paranasal anatomy.
TSNA, also known as the swelling body or the septal turbinate, is a structure that is often overlooked, less known and in need of more research. Although it is generally classified as a variation, this structure is thought to be a chemoreceptor organ with different functions. As proof, its participation in nasal cycles has been demonstrated. Its high incidence suggests that it is a basic anatomical structure rather than a variation.[
EB was the second most common aspect in the Turkish population. It is important because of the location in the middle of the lateral part during embryological development. EB affects and is affected by peripheral structures. Excessive bullous EBs can lead to narrowed sinus recesses and canals since their location is the key point of the hiatus semilunaris.[
NDs were placed in third place among the common PNS aspects. In studies, ND rates have been reported in quite different values. This situation is probably related to the definition criteria of the ND. Some studies don’t accept angulations up to 2 mm from the midline as ND.[
The AG was another common aspect in the Turkish population. AGs are the most anterior located ethmoid cells. They are clinically important because it can lead to ethmoid sinusitis by narrowing the frontal recess. Also, it is essential to know this anatomical structure in the interventions because incomplete removal of AG can cause an iatrogenic disease.[
The differences of PNS variations/aspects according to gender and side were evaluated. There was no statistical difference.
The association of all variations/aspects with each other was also evaluated. There was a statistically significant association between EB and type 2 UP (Fig.
There is a strong relationship between EB and type 2 UP, but in fact, this is only an incident originating from technique. According to the Stamberg staging, type 2 UP variant is the adhesion of UP to a cell adhering to the orbit. This cell is most of the time the EB.[
The relation of ND with CB is known. The result of our article is in this direction. If concha hypertrophy is added to CB and ND, it aggravates the clinical picture by narrowing the nasal passage.[
According to the results of our study, there was a correlation between the AG and OC. AGs are the most anteriorly located ethmoidal cells while OCs are the most posterior. It is very important for surgery since the OC is associated with the free optic nerve.[
MH is classified according to the Bolger classification. In this classification, uncinate pathologies are ranging up to the absence of UP accompanying the MH. If UP is present in the MH, the most common variation in this case is UP deviation.[
When UP is attached to the cell, it is classified as type 2 according to Stamberg classification. Coronal CT image showed the relationship between EB and UP.
A statistically significant correlation between AG and OC was found. These two variations were shown in coronal MDCT images.
Evaluation of variations/aspects is an important part of PNS’ CT routine. The most common aspects in the Turkish population are TSNA, EB, ND and AG. Although TSNA or swelling body is generally classified among variations, it is actually a chemoreceptor organ. Recent research on its functions has sparked interest. EB is located in the central of the osteomeatal complex and this location affects directly the drainage of sinuses. Since ND operations are one of the most common surgeries in ENT routine, it is important to visualize this entity well. AGs are the most anterior located ethmoid cells. When AG is prominent, it can lead to sinusitis by narrowing the recess of the frontal sinus.
In fact, the percentages of these anatomical structures mentioned above are quite high for terminologically calling them a variation. They can be described as basic anatomical structures or dominant aspects.
There is no difference in the incidence of variations/aspects according to genders or sides. Given our results, there is a statistically significant relationship between EB and type 2 UP, ND and CB, AG and OC, MH and UPD.