The Sphenoidal Sinuses: Radiographic Patterns of Normal Development and Abnormal Findings in Infants and Children

Abstract

Developmental patterns of sphenoidal sinuses were determined from lateral radiographs of 1702 patients from newborn to 15 years of age. Pneumatization of the conchal sinuses was seen as early as 6 months of age; 90% showed sphenoidal sinus pneumatization by 4 years of age; 100% by 10 years of age. Extension of pneumatization into the basisphenoid may be evident after 4 years of age, and 95% showed basisphenoidal pneumatization after age 12. An apparent lack of pneumatization of the sphenoidal sinuses in patients over 10 should stimulate investigation for sphenoidal sinus disease. Although isolated sphenoidal sinus abnormalities were rare, sphenoidal sinus involvement was common (67--75%).

Comparison of plain radiographs and coronal CT scans in infants and children with recurrent sinusitis

“…Only 12 of 70 patients had no sphenoidal sinus development on CT. The youngest patient with sphenoidal sinus development was 1 year 1 0 months old [2]. All but one ofthe nine patients thought to have sphenoidal sinus clouding by plain radiographic find- (Fig.…”

Anatomic Variations of Sphenoid Sinus Pneumatization in a Sample of Turkish Population: MRI Study

“…The sphenoid sinus starts to develop in the 3rd or 4th month of prenatal life as bilateral invaginations of nasal mucosa into the cartilaginous cupolar recesses of the nasal cavity (Aoki et al, 1989;Fujioka & Young, 1978).…”

Radiological imaging of inflammatory lesions in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses

“…The development of the sinuses is closely linked to the development of the facial bones. All the sinuses reach adult size approximately at the age of 12 years [2][3][4][5][6]. During childhood, maxillary sinus development occurs in successive stages.…”