Incidence of frontal sinus aplasia in Indian population

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Aplasia or agenesis of frontal sinuses is not uncommon in the literature. Previous studies have shown unilateral aplasia varying from 1-10% and bilateral agenesis of frontal sinus in 3-10% of patients. It is critical for the operating surgeon to be well aware of the normal anatomy and the variations while doing procedures like endoscopic sinus surgeries, cranialisation of frontal sinuses, frontal sinus trephination, and during anterior skull base procedures. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the incidence of anatomic variations of frontal sinus among Indian populations<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> We did a cross sectional study on computed tomography (CT) scan of head, nose and paranasal sinuses in 730 patients above the age of 10 years. We excluded pregnant ladies, patients with prior sinus surgeries, sinonasal tumors, nasal polyposis, craniofacial trauma<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">We observed an incidence of 6.2% of unilateral aplasia of frontal sinus (2.2% in males and 4.0% in females, 3.7% right side and 2.5% left side) and 2.5% of bilateral frontal sinus aplasia (0.95% in males and 1.5% in females). </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Frequent occurrence of frontal sinus aplasia highlights the need to gain a thorough knowledge of the normal anatomy and its variations in order to navigate safely through the nose during basic endoscopic sinus or anterior skull base surgeries to avoid complications<span lang="EN-IN">.</span></p>

Digital radiomorphometric analysis of the frontal sinus and assessment of the relation between persistent metopic suture and frontal sinus development

“…Complete agenesis or aplasia of the FS has been reported to vary from 0.7 to 62% in different population groups (Aydinlioğlu, Kavakli, & Erdem, ; Çakur, Sumbullu, & Durna, ; Donald et al, ; Danesh‐Sani et al, ; Hanson & Owsley, ; Kim, ; Koertvelyessy, ; Moideen et al, ; Soman, Sujatha & Lingappa, ; Turner, ). The unilateral aplasia of the FS has been found to be more common than the considerably rarer bilateral one (Hodgson, ; Turner, ).…”

Frequency of the frontal sinus aplasia among Saudi Arabian population. A single-center retrospective case review

“…However, this has been rarely reported in the literature, and there are inconsistent statistics among different reports. [4][5][6][7] In a recent study carried out in India, the incidence of bilateral frontal sinus absence was 2.5% and unilateral 6.2%. 7 In another study among Turkish population, the frequency of unilateral frontal sinus aplasia was 1.22%.…”

Anatomical variations in superior attachment of uncinate process and localization of frontal sinus outflow tract

“…6 But the frontal sinus and the recess still remains as challenge for the surgeons because of its complex, unpredictable and confusing anatomy. 5,7,8 The pneumatisation pattern of the anterior ethmoidal cells and the surrounding bony plates determines the limits, shape and width of frontal recess. 9 Among the bony plates, the superior attachment of uncinate process is the most important.…”

“…Patients younger than 10 years were excluded from the study because according to Duque CS the frontal sinuses will attain an adult configuration by the age of 8 -10 years only. 5 CT scan was done using a single "GE Singe slice spiral CT Machine" with optimal exposure settings of 125 kVp and 80 -160 mAs. The images were obtained in coronal and axial sections with a 0.6mm thickness.…”