Prevalence of pneumatized uncinate process and accompanying neighboring variations

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of uncinate process (UP) pneumatization and also to investigate the association of UP pneumatization with concurrent morphological variations in neighboring structures and the presence of maxillary sinusitis. Patients and Methods:This was a retrospective study where coronal computed tomography scans of 1,500 UPs in 750 patients (483 males, 267 females; mean age 36.3±14.7 years; range 7 to 84 years) were examined to determine the prevalence of UP pneumatization and to assess any concurrent neighboring anatomical structures and the presence of maxillary sinusitis between January 2013 and June 2013.Results: Uncinate process pneumatization was identified in a total of 6.26% of our patients with 1.60% being bilateral, 2.53% on the right only, and 2.13% on the left side only. Other than concurrent occurrences of right maxillary sinus septa (p=0.046), growth of the right ethmoidal bulla (p=0.044) and presence of maxillary sinusitis (right side: p=0.046, left side: p=0.035) were seen. Conclusion:We detected a 6.2% prevalence of UP pneumatization in our study group. An abnormally sized and over-pneumatized UP can cause narrowing of the infundibulum and impaired sinus drainage. Such functional blockage can lead to recurrent maxillary sinusitis, stuffiness, and decreased olfaction.Keywords: Computed tomography; paranasal sinus; pneumatized; sinusitis; uncinate process.

Agger Nasi Cells Versus Lacrimal Cells and Uncinate Bullae in Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

“…The coexistence of UBs and maxillary sinusitis was found to be statistically significant. 25 Our evidence supports the claim that the only type of air cell that can expand into the UP is an LC; UB was found in the present study in 13 (18.05%) of 72 sides. In 750 patients (1500 sides) evaluated by CT, there were UBs found in 6.26% of cases; these were located unilaterally in 1.60% of the patients.…”

“…In 750 patients (1500 sides) evaluated by CT, there were UBs found in 6.26% of cases; these were located unilaterally in 1.60% of the patients. 25 A different group found UBs in 5% of 512 cases (1024 sides). 24 Kennedy and Zinreich found UB in 1 (0.4%) of 230 patients, on coronal CTs.…”

“…Our comments above are supported by the study of Yenigun et al who found that the simultaneous occurrence of an UB and ANC has no statistical significance. 25 However, this latter study was also performed exclusively on coronal CTs, leading to the speculative assessment that the UB is either an extension of the medial wall of the maxillary sinus or something that originates from the medial face of the orbit and superior wall of the maxillary sinus.…”

A CBCT Study for Anatomic Variations of Osteomeatal complex in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate

“…Variations of uncinate process are clinically crucial because uncinate process is the most important landmark of the lateral nasal wall in endoscopic endonasal operations (Isobe et al, 1998). Uncinate bulla is a rare anatomical variation that obstructs the ethmoid infundibulum when it reaches abnormal dimensions and disrupts sinus ventilation (Kantarci et al, 2004; Yenigun et al, 2016). In the literature, Bolger et al (1991) reported the frequency of uncinate bulla in the individual population is 2.5%; Kantarci et al (2004) 5%, Kaygusuz et al (2014) 6%, Yenigun et al (2016) 6.2%; Dasar and Gokce (2016) found it to be 13.8%.…”

Anatomical Variations of Uncinate Process in a Tertiary Care Hospital of a Coastal city in Karnataka

“…Blumenbach first identified uncinate process in 1790 [1]. It is sickle shaped, sagittally oriented and runs from anterosuperior to posteroinferiorly in the ethmoid labyrinth.…”