Radiological Measurements of the Paranasal Sinuses Using Ostiomeatal Unit CT in Children

Chae, Sung Won; Choi, Geon; Lee, Heung Man; Oh, Joon Hwan; Lee, Sang Hak; Shin, Sang Hoon

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As the endoscopic sinus surgery continues to gain popularity, the application of endoscopic sinus surgery has extended to children. The knowledge about the variation of the paranasal sinuses in children is essential to perform sinus operations without complication. To identify the difference of the paranasal sinuses between children and adults, we have measured the cribriform plate, the ethmoid roof (lateral lamella of the lamina cribrosa), the width of the anterior ethmoid sinus and the position of the sphenoid sinus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ostiomeatal unit CT scans of the paranasal sinuses obtained in consecutively imaged cases were analysed. The subjects were 58 children who were divided into two groups. One group had 22 children from ages 4 to 10 and the second group had children from ages 11 to 16.
RESULTS
The length of the lateral lamella was 4.5+/-1.6 mm (group 1) and 5.4+/-2.9 mm (group 2). The depth of the lateral lamella was 4.1+/-1.4 mm (group 1) and 5.3+/-2.2 mm (group 2). The width of the cribriform plate was 2.5+/-0.9 mm for Group 1 and 2.8+/-0.9 mm for Group 2. The width of upper portion in the anterior ethmoid sinus was 7.9+/-2.1 mm for Group 1 and 9.2+/-2.9 mm for Group 2. The width of lower portion in the anterior ethmoid sinus was 9.7+/-2.2 mm for Group 1 and 13.5+/-3.1 mm for Group 2. The front of the sphenoid sinus was 45.9+/-6.6 mm from the anterior nasal spine for Group 1 and 50.9+/-7.1 mm for Group 2.
CONCLUSION
Since the length and depth of the lateral lamella in children were greater than the reported lengths in the adults, it is suggested that the lateral lamella in children is more prone to danger than in adults. The distance between the anterior nasal spine and anterior face of the sphenoid sinus in children was 5 to 10 mm shorter than in the adults.