Background and Objectives For safe sinus surgery, it is essential to understand the anatomical structure and developmental state of the paranasal sinuses. Structural abnormalies such as aplastic and marked hypoplastic sinuses may not be amenable to sinus surgery or balloon sinuplasty. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the degree of pneumatization of the frontal and sphenoid sinuses in Korean adults. Subjects and Method This retrospective study utilized CT images of 1190 sides from 595 Korean adults. The frontal sinus was classified into normal, hypoplasia, aplasia and unilateral hidden aplasia. The sphenoid sinus was evaluated the incidence regarding the aplasia and unilateral hidden hypoplasia. Results Bilateral frontal sinus hypoplasia was observed in 8.5% of women and 4.2% of men (p＜0.05), while unilateral frontal sinus hypoplasia was found in 3.5% of women and in 4.8% of men (p＞0.05). Bilateral frontal sinus aplasia was observed in 7.1% of women and 2.9% of men (p＜0.05), while unilateral frontal sinus aplasia were found in 7.1% of women and in 5.4% of men (p＞0.05). Unilateral hidden frontal sinus aplasia was observed in 1.7% of women and 1.5% of men (p＞0.05). There was no bilateral sphenoid sinus aplasia and only one woman had unilateral sphenoid sinus aplasia. Unilateral hidden sphenoid sinus hypoplasia was observed in 1.4% of women and 2.9% of men (p＞0.05). Conclusion Bilateral frontal sinus hypoplasia and aplasia are more common in women than in men. Although the incidences of unilateral hidden frontal sinus aplasia and hidden sphenoid sinus hypoplasia are low, sinus surgeons should carefully review CT for sinus surgery or balloon sinuplasty.

Background and Objectives It is necessary to understand the variations of the paranasal sinuses (PNS) and other anatomical structures during an endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The purpose of this study was to investigate any association between the degree of frontal sinus (FS) pneumatization and the development of the PNS structures. Subjects and Method We analyzed 311 PNS computed tomography (CT) scans (622 sinuses, including the left and right sides). We classified FS into type I (aplasia), type II (hypoplasia), and type III (control). We assessed and compared the middle turbinate pneumatization (MTP), superior turbinate pneumatization (STP), agger nasi cell (ANC), infraorbital cell (IOC), optic nerve (ON) type, and vidian nerve (VN) type with the pneumatization of the FS. We further studied for any association between the degree of pneumatization of the FS, maxillary sinus (MS), and sphenoid sinus (SS) and the lateral lamella length (LLL). Results MTP, ANC, and IOC rates according to the FS types were not significant (p>0.05). Both type II and III showed more frequent occurrences of STP than type I (p=0.005). The ON type III and IV were significantly frequent in the FS type III (p<0.001). The occurrence of VN type III in the FS type I was significant (p<0.001). When comparing the pneumatizations of FS with MS or SS, there were no significant correlations between them (p>0.05). In the FS type II and III, the LLL was significantly greater than in type I (p<0.001). Conclusion Increased FS pneumatization shows greater indentation of ON and VN into the SS, as well as increased LLL. During ESS, it is important to recognize the possibility of structural damage of ON, VN, and LLL according to FS pneumatization.

Primary thyroid-like low-grade papillary adenocarcinomas are extremely rare neoplasms that generally originate in the nasopharynx. It is important that clinicians recognize this disease, as these neoplasms are amenable to surgical resection and carry an excellent prognosis. We present a case with a pedunculated tumor in the roof of the nasopharynx. Complete tumor excision via endonasal approach and electrocauterization of the origin of mass was undergone. Postoperative histopathological examinations and immunohistochemical studies confirmed thyroid-like low-grade papillary adenocarcinoma of the nasopharynx. In addition, we include a review of the literature about this rare entity.

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Background and Objectives It is important to identify variations of paranasal sinuses during sinus surgery. The Onodi cell (OC), a variant of the paranasal sinuses, is the most posterior ethmoid cell with a close relationship with the optic nerve (ON). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of OCs and analyze the relationship of OCs with ON in Koreans.Subjects and Method This retrospective study utilized CT images of 526 slides from 263 Korean adults. The prevalence of the OCs and the degree of indentation of the ON within the OC was determined using binary logistic regression analysis.Results The OCs were observed in 37.3% of 263 subjects and in 27.6% of 526 slides. The OCs are found more frequently in males than in females (<i>p</i>=0.01), and also more frequently in the right side than in the left side (<i>p</i>=0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the ON protrusion in female was 0.339 times lower than in male and 1.052 times higher with the increased age. The ON protrusion within the OC in the postsellar type was 10.214 times higher than that in the presellar.Conclusion The OCs were observed in 37.3% of the Koreans. The protrusion of the ON within the OCs increased in male and in the postsellar type of the sphenoid sinus.