Introduction:The anatomy of the frontal sinus drainage pathway is extremely variable. The definition of its relations to the agger nasi cell (ANC) greatly facilitates its understanding and, therefore, the planning of surgical approaches to this paranasal sinus. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the endoscopic anatomy of the frontal sinus drainage pathway in human cadavers, having the ANC as the main anatomical landmark. Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out, based on the endoscopic dissection of fresh human cadavers performed from April to November 2015. Thirteen cadavers were dissected and analyzed (total of 26 nasal cavities). The procedure began with the external trephination of each frontal sinus. After initial endoscopic dissection and identification of the ANC, 0.5% methylene blue was injected through the external trephine. Its drainage was endoscopically observed in relation to the ANC. Results:Of the dissected cadavers, 9 (69.2%) were males and 4 (30.7%) females. The mean age (± SD) was 65 (± 12.3) years. The presence of 22 frontal sinuses was verified through the external trephination method (84.6%). The ANC was present in 23 nasal cavities (88.4%). The frontal sinus drainage pathways were evaluated in 20 sides (76.9%). In 6 of them (30.0%), the dye drained medial to the ANC; in 5 (25.0%), drainage was posterior; and in the remaining 9 (45.0%), posteromedial. Conclusion:The frontal sinus drainage can preferably occur through 3 different ways (with respective frequencies): medial (30.0%), posterior (25.0%) and posteromedial (45.0%) to the ANC. ways, with the following frequencies: posterior (25.0%), medial (30.0%) and posteromedial (45.0%) to the ANC; b. The ANC was present in 88.4% of the nasal cavities with varying degrees of pneumatization. AknowledgentsNone.
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