Objective: To determine the incidence of anatomical variants of sinonasal region and its correlation with symptoms of sinusitis.
Methods: The study was conducted from January-June 2020 at Radiology Department of PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi. The study involved 50 symptomatic subjects of sinusitis with age ranges from 18-60 years which were prepared for computed tomography of paranasal sinuses. The scans were reviewed for nasal-septum, turbinates, uncinate process, ethmoid air-cells along with other anatomical variants and were correlated with symptoms of sinusitis.
Results: Out of 50 subjects, 34 were males and 16 were females with mean age of 42.68±18.22 years. Most common anatomical variants observed were agger nasi cells (64%), deviated nasal septum (56%), and concha-bullosa (46%). Statistically significant correlation existed between bilateral agger nasi cells and nasal obstruction (p=0.017, ρ=-0.336).
Conclusion: The anatomy of sinonasal region is highly complex. However, anatomical variants can disturb the sinus mucociliary drainage pathway resulting in patient suffering. Therefore, considering the variable anatomy of sinonasal region, CT-PNS is recommended for every subject in order to avoid surgical hazards.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.1.3260
How to cite this:Qureshi MF, Usmani A. A CT-Scan review of anatomical variants of sinonasal region and its correlation with symptoms of sinusitis (nasal obstruction, facial pain and rhinorrhea). Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(1):195-200. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.1.3260
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Anatomical variations are not diseases and can be found in every individual. Due to the anatomical variations, the structural changes occur in nearby anatomical relations. By keeping in mind, the vast range of anatomical variations in nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (PNS), every case of sinusitis must be planned carefully to avoid dreadful complications of surgical procedures. Sinus anatomical variations have been associated with the etiology of sinusitis. In this regard computed tomography (CT) imaging has become an important diagnostic tool. CT Scan imaging of nose and para nasal sinuses is mandatory in patients with history of sinusitis in order to evaluate the detailed anatomy which includes normal anatomy, anatomical variations, bony details and the extent of the disease pathology. Certain anatomical variants are supposed to be a causative factor for development of sinus pathology and hence it becomes compulsory for the radiologist to be aware of the anatomical variants of nasal cavity and PNS especially if the subject is considered for surgical intervention.
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