Role of computed tomography in the assessment of anatomical variations of ethmoid sinus

Abstract

Introduction: Anatomical variations of ethmoidal sinuses are complex and surgically very important. Preoperative detection of these variants is important to prevent surgical complications. Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) is the modality of choice for evaluation of these variants of ethmoidal sinuses.Aim: To study the normal anatomical variations of ethmoidal sinuses by 16 slice MDCT.Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of paranasal sinuses in 70 cases by MDCT in adults. Axial and coronal images of Paranasal Sinuses (PNS) were taken by 16 slice MDCT. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0.Results: Present study shows haller cells as the most common anatomical variant with 21 (30%) cases, followed by onodi cells in 10 (14.29%) cases, agger nasi cell in 9 (12.86%) cases and supra orbital cell in 8 (11.43%) patients.Conclusion: Ethmoidal sinuses form a major component of paranasal sinuses that have high prevalence of anatomical variations. These ethmoid sinus anatomical variants are frequent causes for complicated sinus inflammatory pathologies and failed sinus surgeries. The surgeons must be aware of the anatomical variations to avoid untoward surgical complications and for better surgical outcome.