Anatomical variations predisposing to pediatric sinusitis: a CT scan study

Sinusitis is a multifactorial disease. Anatomical variations and osteomeatal complex obstruction may be the major factors in predisposing to pediatric sinusitis. Other factors may include allergy, systemic diseases, stress, and genetic predisposition. This study aimed at defining the incidence of anatomical variations and dimensions of the lateral nasal wall structures and paranasal sinuses and their role in predisposing to pediatric sinusitis in Egyptian children. The study included CT scans [coronal sections] of nose and paranasal sinuses of 40 children, done at the radiology department of AinShams University Hospitals. These CT scans were carefully studied and classified into 2 groups. Group I [study group] involved CT scans with radiological signs of sinusitis of 25 Egyptian children [with a mean age = 9.34 yr. and SD= +/- 3.03], while group II [control group] involved CT scans of 15 normal children. We measured anatomical characters of the turbinates, maxillary sinus [height, width, slope of its roof to vertical plane and the level of its floor to the nasal floor], frontal sinus [development] and sphenoid sinus [height, width and development]. The results of measurements and variations of the previous anatomical structures were statistically analyzed comparing both groups to evaluate their significance in predisposing to pediatric sinusitis in Egyptian children. The results of the present study showed that the incidence of concha bullosa [in sinusitis group] was 24%, paradoxical and markedly edematous middle turbinate was also 24%, thin and rudimentary uncinate process [20%], the laterally curved uncinate process [16%], all of them were significantly higher in the study group [pediatric sinusitis] compared to the control group [sinusitis-free]. Also, a lower level of the maxillary sinus to the nasal floor [with mean value +/- 2mm] was found to be a statistically significant factor in predisposing to pediatric sinusitis in Egyptian children

Aural myiasis caused by wohlfahrtia magnifica

A case recorded of aural myiasis caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica