A review of common anatomical variants of paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity and its frequency of occurrence as evidenced on multi-detector computed tomography

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to know the frequency of occurrence of common anatomic variants in computed tomography of paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. Non contrast Computed tomography (CT) of paranasal sinuses of 100 patients referred to Department Of Radiology, Saveetha Medical College were retrospectively studied. The Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scans were evaluated for various anatomical variants of paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. The frequency of occurrence was calculated in percentage.We found out that deviated nasal septum (DNS) was the most common variant in this study, seen in 86% of cases, followed by Agger nasi cells which was seen in 56% and the third most common was supra-orbital ethmoidal cells seen in 42% of the study population. All the cases included in the study, had minimum of one variant. Most of the study population showed multiple anatomical variations of paranasal sinus and nasal cavity. In conclusion, multidetector Computed tomography plays an important role is the assessment of various anatomical variants of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. Pre-operative MDCT of Paranasal sinuses, gives the surgeons most if not all of the anatomical information they need to tailor surgeries. Considering the relatively high frequency of occurrence of these variants, it is essential for the radiologists to have a precise knowledge of imaging features of normal anatomy and anatomical variants of Paranasal sinuses.