Ethmomaxillary sinus: a particular anatomic variation of the paranasal sinuses

We assessed the morphological and radiological characteristics of ethmomaxillary sinus (EMS), which is an enlarged posterior ethmoidal air cell occupying the superior portion of the maxillary sinus while draining into superior meatus. This study is based on 1450 patients submitted to CT examination of the paranasal sinuses between 1998 and 2002. Sequential CT scans were obtained in the coronal plane in all the patients with 2.5- to 5-mm section thickness and were evaluated for EMS. The diagnosis of EMS was made when there was a posterior ethmoidal cell occupying the superior part of the maxillary sinus while draining to the superior meatus. When EMS was diagnosed, the morphology of the septum between the and maxillary sinus, and width of the superior meatus, were noted. The EMS was found in 10 of 1450 (0.7%) patients. The coexisting anatomic variations were concha bullosa (50%), upper concha pneumatization (20%), maxillary sinus hypoplasia (20%), uncinate bulla (10%), hypertrophied inferior concha (10%), paradoxic middle concha (10%), and septate maxillary sinus (10%). There was no relation between EMS and sinus disease. The EMS is a rare anatomic variation and does not appear to be associated with sinusitis. The EMS is not a well-studied anatomic variation, and the literature is lacking adequate information about this anatomic variation. This study performed in a large series of patients will possibly contribute to better understanding of this particular anomaly.     

The etiological role of concha bullosa in chronic sinusitis

The etiological role of concha bullosa in chronic sinusitis is controversial. Previous investigators have not studied the relationship between the location of concha bullosa and different chronic sinusitis patterns We performed coronal paranasal sinuses CT in 100 Chinese patients with signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis and recorded the presences and location of the concha bullosa and the pattern of sinonasal disease. The incidence of concha bullosa was 47 %. The presence of concha bullosa showed no statistically significant association with different patterns of chronic sinusitis. Correspondence to: W.W.M. Lam     

The incidence of concha bullosa and its relationship to nasal septal deviation and paranasal sinus disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The incidence of middle turbinate pneumatization, or concha bullosa, has been well described in the literature. However, to our knowledge, no study has evaluated concha bullosa in relation to nasal septal deviation. We sought to analyze the incidence of concha bullosa and any correlation with nasal septal deviation and paranasal sinus disease. METHODS: Three neuroradiologists retrospectively reviewed findings of 1095 consecutive paranasal sinus CT studies conducted between 2001 and 2002. All examinations were performed for evaluation of a symptom referable to the sinonasal region. Paranasal sinus inflammatory disease was identified and graded as mild, moderate, or severe. Sphenoid, ethmoid, maxillary, and frontal sinuses were each graded separately on both sides. If a concha bullosa was present, it was graded in size as small, moderate, or large. If bilateral concha were present, sizes were compared and when one was larger, it was identified as dominant. When nasal septal deviation was present, it was graded as mild, moderate, or severe. The direction of nasal septal deviation was identified as the face of the convex surface. RESULTS: There was a clear association between the presence of a unilateral concha, or a dominant concha (in the case of bilateral concha), and the presence of nasal septal deviation (P < .0001). Moreover, there was a significant relationship between the presence of concha bullosa and deviation of the nasal septal to the contralateral side (P < .0001). This inverse association was present regardless of the size of the concha bullosa or degree of septal deviation. In every case, there was some preservation of air channels between the dominant concha and the nasal septum. Seventy-three percent of patients with concha bullosa had paranasal sinus inflammatory disease; 78% of patients without concha bullosa also had some form of inflammatory disease. CONCLUSION: Concha bullosa is a common anatomic variant. There is a strong association between the presence of a concha bullosa and contralateral deviation of the nasal septum. Nasal septal deviation away from the dominant concha, with preserved adjacent air channels, suggests that the deviation is not a direct result of mass effect from the concha. No increased incidence of paranasal sinus disease exists in patients with concha bullosa.     

Concha bullosa: CT evaluation

Aeration of the middle turbinate, termed "concha bullosa," is a common anatomical variant of intranasal anatomy. Of 320 patients evaluated for sinus disease with coronal CT, 34% had concha bullosa on at least one side. The overall incidence of inflammatory disease in the ostiomeatal complex in these symptomatic patients was not different between those with and without concha bullosa. However, there were many cases in which an abnormally large middle turbinate appeared to obstruct the ostiomeatal complex causing secondary infection of the ethmoid, frontal, and maxillary sinuses. Obstruction of drainage of the concha bullosa itself can lead to mucocele formation. Furthermore, the presence of a concha bullosa has important implications for the technique of endoscopic surgery used in the management of the sinus disease. The anatomy, pathophysiology, and CT findings in patients with concha bullosa are reviewed.     

慢性额窦炎额窦引流系统CT解剖特征及临床价值

目的 探讨慢性额窦炎额窦引流系统CT解剖特征及临床价值。方法 对50例慢性鼻窦炎患者应用螺旋CT作横断面扫描，然后经工作站作冠状和矢状面三维重建。结果 螺旋CT三维成像技术能清楚地显示钩突附着部位和类型，在：100侧钩突中，附着纸样板41侧(41％)、鼻丘后壁11侧(11％)、中鼻甲19侧(19％)、前颅底16侧(16％)、钩突分叉13侧(13％)。在额隐窝气房98侧中，终未气房28侧(28．6％)、鼻丘气房18侧(18．4％)、前筛气房18侧(18．4％)。额窦内气房98侧中，其中额气房22侧(22．4％)、眶上气房38侧(38．8％)、额窦中隔气房(M气房)16侧(32％)。发现不同类型的解剖变异与慢性炎症的关系。结论 慢性额窦炎额窦引流系统CT解剖特征的显示可为术前提供有价值的信息，对开展鼻内镜外科有重要的临床指导意义。     

鼻腔和鼻窦炎性疾患的CT分析

目的 加深对鼻腔和鼻窦疾患及其相关性的认识。材料与方法 搜集经手术病理证实的鼻腔鼻窦炎性疾患８２例,ＣＴ轴位扫描６３例,冠状位扫描１９例,将鼻腔与鼻窦病变进行对比分析。结果 中上鼻道息内与各鼻窦炎关系密切;对于上颌窦、后组筛窦和蝶窦炎,中上鼻道息肉与粘膜肿胀间均无显著性差异（Ｐ〉０．０５）;对于前组筛窦和窦炎,中上鼻道息肉与粘膜肿胀组间不显著性差异（前组筛窦Ｐ〈０．０５,额窦Ｐ〈０．０５）;息肉与     

多层螺旋CT重组技术对眶下筛房的影像解剖研究

目的 研究眶下筛房的影像解剖学特点,分析其与鼻窦黏膜增厚的相关性,探讨其在慢性鼻窦炎发病中的作用.方法 根据纳入及排除标准,从头面部多层螺旋CT(MSCT)扫描的连续病例中采用随机数字表法抽取260例(520侧)进行回顾性研究,图像数据行多层面重组(MPR)及仿真内镜重组(VR),观察眶下筛房的显示率、起源、分型等情况;分析眶下筛房的存在与鼻窦黏膜增厚的关系;测量上颌窦口区眶下筛房的最大横径、上颌窦口横径,观察眶下筛房炎性征象及上颌窦1:I黏膜碰触情况,应用X2检验和Logistic回归方法与鼻窦黏膜增厚进行相关性研究.结果 (1)260例眶下筛房的显示率:单侧26.1%(68例),双侧对称31.2%(81例),单双侧显示率差异无统计学意义(x2=1.59,P>0.05).左右分侧观察,两侧显示眶下筛房合计230侧,左侧占52.2%(120侧),右侧占47.8%(110侧),左、右侧显示率差异无统计学意义(x2=0.78,P>0.05).(2)眶下筛房的起源:单纯起源于前组筛房124侧(53.9%),单纯起源于后组筛房62侧(27.O%),既有起源于前组筛房、又有起源于后组筛房的眶下筛房44侧(19.1%).(3)眶下筛房的分型:共分3型,起源于前组筛房的以I型为主(160侧),Ⅱ、Ⅲ型少见;起源于后组筛房的Ⅱ(48侧)、Ⅲ型(45侧)更为多见,不同起源的眶下筛房分型差异有统计学意义(x2=193.433,P<0.01).(4)眶下筛房与鼻窦黏膜增厚的关系:眶下筛房鼻窦黏膜增厚165侧,无鼻窦黏膜增厚192侧,差异无统计学意义(X2=1.824,P>0.05).鼻窦黏膜增厚时上颌窦13区眶下筛房的最大横径为(4.48±1.28)mm,未增厚时为(4.54±1.18)mm.二者差异无统计学意义(t=0.273,P>0.05);鼻窦黏膜增厚时上颌窦口径线为(2.63±1.64)mill.未增厚时为(2.28±0.75)mm,上颌窦13径线与鼻窦黏膜增厚无明显相关关系(Wald=2.534.P>0.05);眶下筛房炎性征象与鼻窦黏膜增厚有明显相关关系(Wahl=10.817,P<0.Ol,OR:4.125),上颌窦口黏膜碰触与鼻窦黏膜增厚具有明显相关关系(Wald=6.64,P<0.0l,OR=3.728).结论 MSCT三维重组技术可以满意显示眶下筛房的解剖学特征;在影像分析中,不能简单地把眶下筛房的存在作为慢性鼻窦炎患病的危险因素,应根据不同个体的具体情况分析眶下筛房解剖特征及对窦口鼻道复合体的影响,为临床选择不同的处理方法提供依据.     

Morpho-functional evaluation of osteomeatal complex in chronic sinusitis by coronal CT

The objective was to determine whether or not there exists a clinical–radiological correlation in chronic sinusitis of anterior paranasal sinus and to quantitatively evaluate the importance of osteomeatal complex structures and anatomic variants in chronic sinusitis etiopathology. We analyzed 208 nasal fossae with high-resolution and low-irradiation coronal computed tomography. The following inclusion criteria we established: one case control and one control group. We considered any chronic thickness of sinusal mucosal as a radiological indicator of chronic sinusitis. We evaluated the mucosal thickness of internal, external, superior and inferior maxillary walls, the addition of four maxillary walls and the maximal mucosal thickness in frontal sinus and anterior ethmoidal cells. We also obtained 15 parameters of osteomeatal complex structures and anatomical variants in each nasal fossa, and we correlated them statistically with chronic sinusitis radiological indicators. Uncinate process length is the only anatomic element from which we have been able to obtain a statistically significant cut point between case and control groups, but only with a sensitivity of 51.6%, specificity of 71.2%, positive predictive value of 74.2%, and negative predictive value of 47.9%. No association of radiological parameters exists that can explain chronic sinusitis. Electronic Publication     

How does nose blowing effect the computed tomography of paranasal sinuses in chronic sinusitis?

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine whether inward or outward movement of the secretions in the paranasal sinuses due to nose blowing after nasal decongestion has any effect on the paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) images in patients with sinusitis and to asses whether nose blowing may result in misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis in radiological evaluation of sinusitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with chronic sinusitis were evaluated in an academic tertiary care hospital and data were collected prospectively. After coronal sinus computed tomography scans were performed at 100 mA setting which was half the value of the standard radiation dose suggested by the manufacturer, topical decongestion was applied to each nostril followed by nose blowing 10 min later. Sinus CT scans were then repeated at the same setting. We evaluated the mucosal thickness of medial, lateral, superior and inferior maxillary and frontal sinus walls and the maximal thickness in anterior ethmoidal cells. The measurements prior to and following nose blowing were compared with Wilcoxon signed ranks test. The obtained images were also staged using Lund-McKay staging system separately and the scores were compared with Student's t-test. RESULTS: We observed a tendency towards reduction in mucosal thickness after nose blowing. There were statistically significant differences between maxillary sinus inferior wall and frontal sinus inferior wall mucosal thickness values prior to and after nose blowing. The difference however was very small, about 0.5 mm in magnitude and Lund-McKay score did not change in any of the patients after nose blowing. CONCLUSION: Nose blowing and topical nasal decongestion does not have any effect on the diagnostic accuracy of sinus CT in chronic sinusitis patients.     

Investigation of the accessory maxillary ostium: a congenital variation or acquired defect?

Objective:We sought to determine whether an accessory maxillary ostium (AMO) is a congenital or acquired condition and we investigated concomitant sinus pathologies associated with this structure.Methods:Paranasal sinus CT examinations of individuals aged ≥13 years and <13 years were compared retrospectively. In total, 552 sinuses of 276 patients aged ≥13 years (Group 1) and 284 maxillary sinuses of 142 children aged <13 years (Group 2) were evaluated. Patients were classified as AMO-positive or -negative. The following features were evaluated in Group 1: AMO presence, mucus retention cysts, mucosal thickening, sinusitis of the maxillary sinus, nasal septum deviation, concha hypertrophy, concha bullosa, primary ostium obstruction, uncinate process atelectasis, paradox concha, Agger nasi and Haller cells, and sinus hypoplasia. The sizes and locations of AMOs were also evaluated. The presence of an AMO and sinusitis were evaluated in Group 2.Results:AMOs were detected in 122 sinuses in Group 1. In the AMO-positive group, sinusitis, mucosal thickening, and primary ostium obstruction were significantly more common than in the AMO-negative group (p < 0.00001). Statistically significant associations were not observed between AMO presence and other parameters. AMOs were present in two sinuses in Group 2.Conclusion:Our results suggest that AMOs are acquired defects caused by sinus diseases. The rare occurrence of these structures in patients aged <13 years suggests that they may be a perforation or secondary drainage pathway in patients with sinusitis or primary ostium obstruction.     

鼻中隔偏曲与单侧上颌窦炎性病变的临床观察与CT图像处理

目的通过临床和CT图像观察了解鼻中隔偏曲与单侧上颌窦炎性病变的关系，探讨鼻中隔偏曲在慢性鼻窦炎发病中的作用。方法前瞻性、连续收集经鼻窦冠状位CT扫描证实的鼻中隔偏曲伴单侧上颌窦炎性病变（包括慢性上颌窦炎、上颌窦浆液性囊肿、上颌窦后鼻孔息肉和霉菌性上颌窦炎）患者56例，观察单侧上颌窦炎性病变与鼻中隔偏曲的关系。随机抽取10例患者的鼻窦冠状位CT图像，按Uygur法计算钩突所在平面两侧下鼻甲、钩突和中鼻甲的横断面积（以坐标纸格数表示）在各自鼻腔所占的百分数，并与10例正常对照（鼻中隔正直、无鼻窦病变）进行比较。结果56例患者中，单侧慢性上颌窦炎25例，上颌窦后鼻孔息肉9例，上颌窦浆液性囊肿5例，霉菌性上颌窦炎17例；病变位于鼻中隔偏曲鼻腔宽大侧35例（62．5％），狭窄侧21例（37．5％）。10例鼻中隔偏曲伴单侧上颌窦炎性病变患者下鼻甲、钩突和中鼻甲的横断面积在各自鼻腔所占的百分数在鼻腔宽侧为48．8％，窄侧为44．1％，两侧无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。10例正常对照下鼻甲、钩突和中鼻甲的横断面积在各自鼻腔所占的百分数为右侧40．1％，左侧39．8％，两侧无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。结论鼻中隔偏曲使鼻腔宽大侧发生单侧上颌窦炎性病变的机会大于鼻腔狭窄侧；临床处理上颌窦炎性病变的同时应矫正偏曲的鼻中隔，恢复鼻腔鼻窦正常的结构和功能，阻断鼻中隔偏曲造成的代偿失调。     

Protrusion of the optic nerve into the ethmoid and sphenoid sinus: prospective study of 150 CT studies

Damage to the optic nerve is a serious complication of intranasal sinus surgery. Protrusion of the optic canal into the sphenoid sinus is a major risk factor. In this prospective study of 150 CT studies, we found this anatomical variation in 8% of cases. It was consistently associated with pneumatisation of the ipsilateral anterior clinoid process. Protrusion of the optic nerve into the posterior ethmoid cells was never observed. CT is a useful part of the preoperative investigation of patients undergoing intranasal sinus surgery. Axial and coronal images obtained or by direct acquisition by reconstructions are necessary to show the position of the optic nerve.     

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

Paranasal sinus development and pneumatisation variants are described, and rhinosinusitis and different patterns of inflammatory sinonasal diseases are reviewed. Other inflammatory sinonasal diseases, e.g., fungal sinusitis, mucocele, pyocele and sinonasal manifestations in systemic diseases, are briefly described. Computed tomography (CT) is the primary modality in diagnosing and mapping suspected inflammatory sinonasal disease. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is complementary to CT if fungal sinusitis, pyocele or malignancy are suspected.     

慢性侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎的CT和MRI诊断

目的探讨慢性侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎的CT和MRI表现及诊断价值。方法回顾性分析经手术、组织病理学证实的10例慢性侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎的影像学资料。结果慢性侵袭性真菌性鼻窦炎发生于蝶窦5例，上颌窦3例，筛窦2例。CT表现：受累窦腔内充以软组织影，其中1例伴斑点状钙化；窦壁骨质破坏，同时伴周围骨质增生肥厚。MRI表现：T1WI为低信号（与脑实质比较，以下相同）2例，等信号7例；T2WI信号不均匀，7例以低信号为主，2例以高信号为主；增强后病变明显强化。侵犯邻近结构：眼眶9例，其中6例累及眶尖区，可见不规则软组织肿块影，与邻近眼外肌分界不清楚，7例包绕视神经；6例侵犯海绵窦，可见形态不一的软组织影；脑膜增厚、强化5例，3例侵犯脑实质，表现为水肿1例，肉芽肿2例；4例侵犯翼腭窝及颞下窝；3例鼻咽部软组织增厚；2例上颌神经和1例下颌神经明显增粗、强化；3例面颊部软组织肿胀；1例硬腭骨质破坏。结论窦壁骨质破坏伴硬化、MR T2WI低信号、易侵犯眶尖及海绵窦为本病特征性影像学表现。结合CT和MRI2种检查方法能够对本病的诊断、鉴别和治疗提供更可靠的信息。     

窦口鼻道复合体HRCT扫描及其临床应用

目的评价窦口鼻道复合体HRCT检查及临床应用价值。材料与方法分析106例冠状位及横断位HRCT扫描图像。采用层厚3mm,层间距5mm扫描。其中12例采用层厚3mm,层间距3mm。结果慢性鼻窦炎患者占92％,鼻中隔偏曲83％,中鼻甲气化48％,中鼻甲反向弯曲20％,Haller气房41％,筛泡过度气化46％,钩突偏曲19％,扫描层间距为5mm,窦口鼻道复合体显示率为49％。层间距3mm为100％。结论窦口鼻道复合体变异与慢性鼻窦炎的发生有明确的相关性,鼻窦HRCT冠状位扫描是显示该区域最佳影像学技术,对功能性鼻内窥镜手术具有指导价值。     

Inflammatory disease involving a concha bullosa (enlarged pneumatized middle nasal turbinate): MR and CT appearance

An enlarged pneumatized middle turbinate, called a concha bullosa, may be the site of inflammatory disease ranging from simple mucosal thickening to a mucocele. Four patients with inflammatory disease involving a concha bullosa were studied with MR and/or CT. Both imaging techniques detected the presence of mucosal inflammation and a mucocele within the concha bullosa, but CT better demonstrated the thin bony wall of the mucocele, allowing differentiation from other soft-tissue nasal masses.     

Chronic ethmoid and sphenoid sinusitis as an incidental finding in computerized tomography of the skull

From 373 patients examined by cranial CT 60 had as accidental findings chronic ethmoidal and/or sphenoidal sinusitis. From 234 patients with pathologic brain CT findings 33 had chronic sinusitis (14%). By comparison 27 from 139 patients without pathologic brain CT had findings like sinusitis (19.4%). We suppose that often chronic sinusitis ethmoidalis and/or sphenoidalis suspense signs lead to cranial CT, although sinusitis was the only pathologic cause.     

Computed tomographic evaluation of mouth breathers among paediatric patients

Objectives

Mouth breathing causes many serious problems in the paediatric population. It has been maintained that enlarged adenoids are principally responsible for mouth breathing. This study was designed to evaluate whether other mechanical obstacles might predispose the child to mouth breathing.

Methods

67 children with ages ranging from 10 to 15 years were studied and grouped into mouth-breathers and nose-breathers. The children first underwent axial CT scans of the brain for which they were originally referred. In addition, they were subjected to a limited coronal CT examination of the paranasal sinuses. Congenital anatomical variations as well as inflammatory changes were assessed.

Results

87% of mouth-breathing children had hypertrophied adenoids, 77% had maxillary sinusitis, 74% had pneumatized middle concha, 55% had a deviated nasal septum, 55% had hypertrophied inferior conchae, 45% had ethmoidal sinusitis and 23% showed frontal sinusitis. Such changes were significantly less prevalent in nose-breathers. 12.9% of mouth-breathing children did not have adenoids. Of these children, only 3.3% had one or more congenital or inflammatory change whereas the other 9.6% showed a completely normal CT scan signifying the incidence of habitual non-obstructive mouth breathing.

Conclusions

It is clear that adenoids have a dominant role in causing mouth breathing. Yet, we recommend that paediatricians should assess other mechanical obstacles if mouth breathing was not corrected after adenoidectomy. Further research should be performed to test the validity of correction of such factors in improving the quality of life of mouth-breathing children.     

X-ray computed tomography of the facial sinuses. Results in 198 patients with chronic sinusitis]

The CT studies of 198 consecutive patients with chronic sinusitis were reviewed retrospectively. CT was normal in 47 patients (23.7%). In 151 patients one or many cavities showed abnormalities. In 69 cases (34.9%), the lesions affected one or two sinuses, in 35 cases (17.7%) three to six cavities were abnormal, whereas in 47 cases (23.7%), more than six cavities were abnormal. In 87 cases (57.6%), lesions were observed both in large cavities and ethmoid cells, whereas they were selectively localized in large cavities in 55 cases (36.4%), or in ethmoid cells in 9 cases (6%). Abnormalities were observed in the maxillary sinus in 137 patients (69.2%), in the ethmoid in 96 patients (48.5%), in the frontal sinus in 51 patients (25.8%), and in the sphenoid sinus in 28 patients (14.1%). The most frequent abnormality was hypertrophic mucosa, which was visible in 275 cavities. These results were compared with date of the literature.     

CT characterization of developmental variations of the paranasal sinuses in cystic fibrosis

Purpose: To describe variations of paranasal sinus development in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and in non-CF patients examined for inflammatory sinonasal disease. We focused on anatomic variants that predispose to orbital and cerebral penetration during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), e.g. hypoplasia of the maxillary sinus and low ethmoid roof.Material and Methods: One hundred and sixteen CF patients (3-54 years, median 18) and 136 control patients (7-51 years, median 31) were examined with coronal CT of the paranasal sinuses. CF patients were grouped according to number of confirmed mutations: CF-2 (n=70), CF-1 (n=32), CF-0 (n=14). CT images were evaluated with respect to paranasal sinus development, pneumatization variants and bony variants.Results: Frontal sinus aplasia and maxillary, ethmoid, and sphenoid sinus hypoplasia were markedly more frequent in CF-2 than in control patients. No CF-2 patient had pneumatization variants such as Haller cells or concha bullosa. Low ethmoid roof was seen in 30% of CF-2 children, but in no control children. CF-1 and CF-0 groups had prevalences of aplasia and hypoplasia intermediate to that of CF-2 and control patients.Conclusion: Genetically verified CF patients had less developed sinuses, lacked pneumatization variants, and more often had anatomic variants that predispose to complications during FESS. Normally developed sinuses and pneumatization variants in some genetically unverified CF patients (CF-1, CF-0) suggest that these patients may be erroneously diagnosed.