Multiplanar Computed Tomographic Analysis of Frontal Cells According to International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification and Their Relation to Frontal Sinusitis

Abstract

Background: This study explored the prevalence of frontal cells and the relationship between different types of frontal cells classified using the International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification (IFAC) and frontal sinusitis. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 1006 CT scans of paranasal sinuses. Identification of frontal sinus cells was based on IFAC. The scans were classified into no frontal sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, isolated frontal sinusitis, no sinusitis. Results: Agger nasi cells were the most common (91.9%). The prevalence of supra agger cell (SAC) was 28.7%, while the supra agger frontal cell (SAFC) was only 15.8%, the supra bulla cell (SBC) was 59.7%, the supra bulla frontal cell (SBFC) was 25.8%. Supra orbital ethmoid cell (SOEC) and frontal septal cell (FSC) were identified in 6.9% and 14.3% of the cases, respectively. Patients with SAFCs and SBFCs were significantly more likely to develop frontal sinusitis (Odds Ratio (OR)=1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-2.56 and OR=2.70, 95% CI 1.98-3.66). Isolated frontal sinusitis was found in 10 scans and was associated with the presence of SAC (OR=3.76, 95% CI 1.02-13.90). Conclusion:In Vietnamese adult patients, frontal cells based on IFAC were prevalent and were associated with frontal sinusitis development, including isolated frontal sinusitis.

Computed Tomographic Analysis of Frontal Recess Cell Prevalence According to International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification

“…In the current study, we determined the prevalence, symmetry, and interrater agreement of IFAC cell types in an adult population with non-diseased sinuses. To date, a few studies have documented the prevalence of FR cells using the IFAC in different populations with healthy sinuses [2,3,10,12,13]. The most frequently observed FR cell in our study was ANC, present in 88% of sides, consistent with previous literature quoting ANC incidence between 87-97%.…”

Radiological anatomical variations of the lateral nasal wall and anterior skull base amongst different populations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…A total of 56 studies with 11 805 persons were included. All studies 13–66 involved a single population except for two studies 5,67 which recruited two distinct populations in each study. The studies were from 27 countries which can be divided into seven regions specifically Africa, Asia, Australia‐New Zealand‐Oceania, North America, South America, Europe and Middle East.…”

Prevalence of frontal cells and their relation to frontal sinusitis among patients who underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery: A prospective cross-sectional study in Tanzania

“…Regarding the prevalence of frontal cells, they tend to occur in 20–41% of the paranasal sinuses [ 1 , 11 ]. Similarly, the agger nasi occurs in 98.5% of patients and is well known to be the most constant cell being located in the frontal recess [ 12 ].…”

“…By description, Type I is known to be a single frontal cell above an agger nasi cell while Type II is a tier of cells in the frontal recess above the agger nasi cell. Type III is a large cell pneumatizing from the frontal recess into the frontal sinus and Type IV is a cell being totally isolated within the frontal sinus [ 1 , 5 , 11 ].…”