CT Scan Evaluation of Anatomical Variations of Paranasal Sinuses in Patients with Complaints Related to Paranasal Sinuses-An Exploratory Study

AIMAND OBJECTIVESTo explore the anatomical variations of paranasal sinuses using CT scan. To identify anatomical variations of paranasal sinuses using CT scan, To document the frequencies of the anatomic variants of paranasal sinuses. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis was a prospective study performed to assess the anatomical variations of paranasal sinuses in patients presenting with complaints related to paranasal sinuses.550 patientss were included in the study after ethical clearence from ethical committee of Yenepoya University (November 2015 to October 2017). DISCUSSION Devisated nasal septum being the most common type of variation, with (59.1 %) in 550 patients studied, of which 28.7 % was type I, 12 % was type II, 8.7 % was TYPE III, 2.2 % was type IV, 3.8 % was type V, 2.4 % was type VI and 1.3 % was type VII. . In the our study curved uncinate process was found in 17 patients unilaterally (2.9 %) and 2 patient bilaterally (0.4), a total of 3.3 %. Bolger et al reported a total incidence of 2.5 % in his study.3The presence of a concha bullosa has ranged between 4 % and 80 % in different studies, our data gave 24.7 % which is similar compared to (24.5 %) observed by Peres et al, more compared to incidence reported by Dua K (16 %) 8and less compared to Zinreich S et al (36 %) 4CONCLUSION Computed Tomography of the paranasal sinus has improved the imaging of paranasal sinus anatomy and has allowed greater accuracy in evaluating paranasal sinus disease for anatomical variants and inflammatory diseases affecting the sinuses. Advances in FESS and CT technology has concurrently increased interest in the paranasal region anatomy and its variations. Radiologists must report the anatomical variations that may predispose patients to increased risk of intraoperative complications and help avoid possible complications and improve success of management strategies.