Development of the Paranasal Sinuses in Children: Implications for Paranasal Sinus Surgery

Abstract

The pediatric nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, when compared to those in adults, differ not only in size but also in proportion. Knowledge of the unique anatomy and pneumatization of children's sinuses is an important prerequisite to understanding the pathogenesis of sinusitis and its complications. It is also important in evaluation of radiographs and in planning surgical interventions. In order to study the development of the paranasal sinuses in children and relate clinical anatomy to sinus surgery, the sinuses in 102 pediatric skulls and cadaver heads were measured. The results were classified by stage of development into 4 different age groups: newborn and 1 to 4, 4 to 8, and 8 to 12 years. The characteristics of each group and their clinical importance for paranasal sinus surgery are described.

O papel das variantes anatômicas do complexo ostiomeatal na rinossinusite crônica

“…These measures were similar in cadaver skulls (25) . The ethmoidal bulla, however, has not been separately evaluated in theses studies.…”

The Pneumatization of the Facial Skeleton in the Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata). A Study Based on Computerized Three-Dimensional Reconstructions.

“…Thus, the results of the present study suggest that the size increase of the maxillary sinus within the primate evolution can't be explained satisfactorily only by the increasing skull size. Notwithstanding that development and growth of the maxillary sinus are closely related to the growth of the skull and to the dentition (Wolf et al, 1993), it has been demonstrated that the sinuses also possess a developmental potential of their own (Libersa et al, 1991;Koppe et al, 1994). On the other hand, recent studies by Francis et al (1990) and Oktay (1992), who have revealed that neither cleft lip and palates nor orthodontic malocclusion affect the size of the maxillary sinus, give some doubts about an exclusive structural role of the paranasal sinuses.…”

Maxillary Sinus Abnormalities Detected by Dental Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

“…It develops as evagination of the mucous membrane of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity at the level of the middle nasal meatus forming a minute space that expands primarily in an inferior direction into the primordium of the maxilla Figure 1. The maxillary sinus enlarges variably and greatly by pneumatization until it reaches the adult size by the eruption of the permanent teeth [2]. A significant difference in the bone height of the sinus floor exists between dentulous and edentulous individuals.…”