Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2018 Jul;61(7):349-354. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2017.00934.

Pneumatization of the Frontal and Sphenoid Sinus in Korean Adults: A Study of Using Computed Tomography Scans

• Sim YC
• Kang M
• Yu JS
• Lee JH

• KMID: 2436508
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2017.00934

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
For safe sinus surgery, it is essential to understand the anatomical structure and developmental state of the paranasal sinuses. Structural abnormalies such as aplastic and marked hypoplastic sinuses may not be amenable to sinus surgery or balloon sinuplasty. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the degree of pneumatization of the frontal and sphenoid sinuses in Korean adults.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
This retrospective study utilized CT images of 1190 sides from 595 Korean adults. The frontal sinus was classified into normal, hypoplasia, aplasia and unilateral hidden aplasia. The sphenoid sinus was evaluated the incidence regarding the aplasia and unilateral hidden hypoplasia.
RESULTS
Bilateral frontal sinus hypoplasia was observed in 8.5% of women and 4.2% of men (p < 0.05), while unilateral frontal sinus hypoplasia was found in 3.5% of women and in 4.8% of men (p>0.05). Bilateral frontal sinus aplasia was observed in 7.1% of women and 2.9% of men (p < 0.05), while unilateral frontal sinus aplasia were found in 7.1% of women and in 5.4% of men (p>0.05). Unilateral hidden frontal sinus aplasia was observed in 1.7% of women and 1.5% of men (p>0.05). There was no bilateral sphenoid sinus aplasia and only one woman had unilateral sphenoid sinus aplasia. Unilateral hidden sphenoid sinus hypoplasia was observed in 1.4% of women and 2.9% of men (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Bilateral frontal sinus hypoplasia and aplasia are more common in women than in men. Although the incidences of unilateral hidden frontal sinus aplasia and hidden sphenoid sinus hypoplasia are low, sinus surgeons should carefully review CT for sinus surgery or balloon sinuplasty.

Keyword

Aplasia; Computed tomography scan; Frontal sinus; Hypoplasia; Sphenoid sinus

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Female
Frontal Sinus
Humans
Incidence
Male
Methods
Paranasal Sinuses
Retrospective Studies
Sphenoid Sinus*
Surgeons