BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Anatomical variations of ostiomeatal complex have an imperative role in pathologies of sinonasal complex, ventilation obstruction and success of surgical treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anatomical variations of osteomeatal complex in cone beam computed tomography images in North of Iran.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional retrospective study, 159 CBCT images were analyzed. Anatomical variations evaluated included Concha bullosa, Paradoxical middle turbinate, Uncinate process hypertrophy and pneumatization, hypertrophied Bulla ethmoidalis, Agger nasi cell, Maxilo-ethmoidal cell (Haller's cell) which were assessed based on the frequency, gender, unilateral/bilateral appearance and the involved side in unilateral cases (left/right). Also, two observers evaluated the data simultaneously and the result of final agreement was recorded on the checklists.The data were analyzed descriptively and analytically.
FINDINGS: From among 159 subjects, 76 (47.8%) were female and 83 (52.2%) were male. The patients were 18-80 years old (mean: 34.96±14.50 years). Agger nasi cell and concha bullosa which were observed in 143 (98.9%) and 151 (95%) cases, respectively, were the most common findings and often appeared bilaterally. The least frequency belonged to hypertrophied bulla ethmoidalis which was 9 (5.7%) and uncinate process hypertrophy which was 12 (7.5%). Paradoxical middle turbinate, uncinate process pneumatization, and Haller's cell were observed in 28 (17.6%), 57 (35.8%), and 61 (38.4%) cases, respectively. No significant relationship was found between gender and the anatomical variations. (p>0.05)
CONCLUSION: In the present study, Concha Bullosa and Agger Nasi Cell were the most common anatomical variations in CBCT images of paranasal sinuses, which were reported bilaterall
