Title: The Relation between Anatomical Variations of Osteomeatal Complex & Nasal Structures and Chronic Sinusitis by Computed Tomography
Abstract: Background: The anatomy of the nose and paranasal sinuses is complex, and many anatomical variations have been thoroughly studied. There is debate about the effect of these variations on the occurrence and severity of sinusitis. Computed Tomography (CT) scan is the modality of choice for evaluation of variable anatomical variations and different forms of sinusitis. Aim: The aim of this research was to study the relation between recurrent sinusitis and anatomical variations of the osteomeatal complex and nasal structures by CT. Patients and Methods: A cross section observation study was performed. We collected data of 89 patients subjected to CT of the paranasal sinuses. CT was performed using SIEMENS SOMATOM SENSATION dual source machine. Data analysis was performed using SPSS program, version (19.0.0): Results: All patients in the study population showed one or more anatomical variations and only 85.3% of them had sinusitis. Infundibular pattern of sinusitis had the highest incidence and the lowest patterns were sphenoethmoid recess and sporadic unclassified patterns. Anatomical variations found by CT, nasal septal deviation represented the most common variation (50%). Conclusion: There was a statistically significant correlation between nasal septal deviation, uncinate process anomalies and some patterns of sinusitis with the p value = <0.05.