Anatomy of the maxillary sinus ostium: a cadaveric study

Background: Recognition of the maxillary sinus position is tedious as it is small and not easily seen. A detailedknowledge of the anatomical variations of maxillary sinus opening is required for endoscopic surgeons toperform safe surgeries. The aim of the present study is to determine the anatomical location of the maxillaryostium in a cadaveric specimen. The position of the accessory maxillary sinus, if present is also noted to furtherbenefit the surgeons.Materials and Methods: Thirty bisected halves of the formalin fixed adult head and neck specimens were obtainedfrom the Department of Anatomy. The anterior part of the skull was divided in the midline and then the nasalseptum was removed taking care not to damage the osteomeatal components. Probes were used in identifyingthe location of maxillary sinus ostium. Various other parameters like vertical diameter, transverse diameter,distance between ostium and anatomical landmarks such as inferior concha and hard palate were measured.Results: In accordance to the parameters considered in the current study, the following results were observed.The maxillary sinus ostium was present in the posterior 1/3rd of the Hiatus semilunaris in 53% of the cadavers.The most common shape of maxillary sinus ostium was oval. The mean vertical and transverse diameters ofostium were 2mm and 2.6mm respectively. The perpendicular distance of the ostium from the lower border ofinferior concha was 14.6 mm and from the upper border of the hard palate was 17.5 mm.Conclusion: The knowledge about the variations in location of the maxillary sinus Ostium and the distances ofthe ostium from the major anatomical landmarks will help the maxillofacial surgeons and otolaryngeologists toperform the surgical procedures safely.

Three siblings with multiform seizures: An unusual presentation of Doose syndrome.

Doose syndrome, or epilepsy with myoclonic–atonic seizures, is a rare electroclinical syndrome. It is important to distinguish it from related epilepsy syndromes such as Lennox Gestaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. We report the occurrence of this disorder in three siblings born of a non-consanguineous marriage.