Study on the development of frontal sinuses by morphometric analysis of the skull

Abstract

The frontal sinuses are cranial areas of clinical, forensic and pathology importance whose development mechanisms are still poorly defined. Nasal airflow and brain development are two of the main theories. Current analysis debates whether they are the real determinants of frontal sinuses growth, which may be proved by the skull's morphometric analysis. Four groups of measures related to the external cranial architecture, the pyriform aperture, orbital cavities and frontal sinuses were defined. Thirty-three skulls of individuals, mean age 68 years, from the Laboratory of Anatomy of the Academic Centre of Victoria-UFPE-Brazil, were used. Statistical analysis showed total agenesis of the frontal sinus in 18.2% of the skulls. There was significant correlation between the development of the right frontal sinus and the pyriform aperture, and between the left frontal sinus and two cranial measurements (p ≤ 0.05). Significant differences between mean of pyriform aperture areas of the skulls with or without sinuses were also reported (p ≤ 0.01). Results supported the fact that there was a modulation activity by nasal aeration and brain formation in the development of frontal sinuses.

The Relationships Between Craniofacial Structure and Frontal Sinus Morphology: Evaluation With Conventional Anthropometry and CT-Based Volumetry

“…Filho et al also found a relationship between nasal pyriform aperture area and left FSV ( r = 0.435, P = .011) and reported that the degree of nasal cavity aeration affects FS development. 10 In this study, there appears to be a positive linear relationship between nasal height and frontal morphometry. In addition, the effect of nasal height is more apparent than maximum skull length for most of the analyses.…”

“…Previous studies have suggested that FSs are larger in brachiocephalic heads than dolichocephalic heads. 10 Filho et al found a relationship of spin bregmatic distance and glabellalambda curvature with left FSV (r ¼ 0.450, P ¼ .009 and r ¼ 0.433, P ¼ .012, respectively). 10 In another report by Tehranchi et al, a recent study that utilized a weak methodology, they showed a correlation between FS dimensions and anterior facial height in males and increased gonial angle in females.…”

“…10 Filho et al found a relationship of spin bregmatic distance and glabellalambda curvature with left FSV (r ¼ 0.450, P ¼ .009 and r ¼ 0.433, P ¼ .012, respectively). 10 In another report by Tehranchi et al, a recent study that utilized a weak methodology, they showed a correlation between FS dimensions and anterior facial height in males and increased gonial angle in females. 28 However, no significant relationship was detected among the craniometric groups with respect to FS morphology in the present study, which used a stronger methodology along with appropriate data analyses compared to the above 2 reports.…”

“…6 Another study showed that nasal pyriform aperture size, head measurements such as curvature, and spino bregmatic height also play roles in FS development. 10 It is known that the structure of the FS differs across climatic regions or in communities with different ethnic origins. [11][12][13][14][15] As craniofacial development is also affected by these factors, it is worth investigating whether there is a linear relationship between FS morphology and craniofacial morphology.…”

“…6 Another study showed that nasal pyriform aperture size, head measurements such as curvature, and spino bregmatic height also play roles in FS development. 10…”