The Relationship between Anatomic Variation of Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinusitis

Lee, Sung Jun; Shin, Seung Heon; Kim, Chang Gyun; Ye, Mi Kyung; Chang, Hyung Wook

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although several studies have failed to confirm an increased incidence of sinusitis in association with anatomic factors, the anatomic variations of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus are considered as important factors in causing paranasal sinusitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of anatomic abnormality and septal deviations on the development of paranasal sinusitis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: To evaluate the effect of anatomic variations in sinusitis, computed tomography (CT) of 165 patients with chronic sinusitis and 70 patients with orbital pathology were reviewed to analyze the mucosal abnormalities and the bony anatomic variations.
RESULTS
There were no significant difference in the prevalence of anatomic variations between two groups. In patients with deviated septum, paranasal sinusitis was more common and severe in the wide side of the nasal cavity.
CONCLUSION
There was no clinical significance of anatomic variations in formation of sinusitis. In septal deviation, the change of air current may affect the development of sinusitis. The increased airflow in the widened nasal cavity may impair the mucociliary clearing function of the nasal cavity and sinuses, which eventually induce the stasis of mucus in sinuses and finally results in paranasal sinusitis.