Evaluating the frequency of anatomical variations of the sinonasal region in pediatric and adult age groups according to gender: computed tomography findings of 1532 cases

Abstract

Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to evaluate retrospectively the frequency of anatomical variations in sinonasal region, which were frequently seen in our cases, for whom coronal section paranasal computed tomography imaging (CPNCT) was taken, as well as the correlation of these variations with age and gender and correlations of identified anatomical variations with one another. In the study, CBCT scans of a total of 1532 (825 males and 707 females) cases were evaluated in order to determine the prevalence of anatomical variations of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. All the images were taken by a multi-detector CT device (Aquilion, Toshiba medical system, Tokyo, Japan). Results Most frequently detected three anatomical variations were septum deviation (79.7%), concha bullosa (40.9%), and ethmoid bulla (21.0%) according to the frequency order. When the frequency of anatomical variations was evaluated according to gender, septum deviation, concha bullosa, and anterior clinoid process pneumatization were more frequently observed in males and Onodi cell in females (p < 0.05). When the relationships of the anatomical variations with one another were evaluated, it was found that the possibility of the presence of concha bullosa in the septum deviation cases and the presence of ethmoid bulla in the cases with Haller cell septum were higher (p < 0.05). In terms of the anatomical variations that were evaluated by taking age as the independent variable, a statistically significant difference was observed in pterygoid process pneumatization, Haller cell, pneumatized crista galli, ethmoid bulla, and paradoxical middle concha between the adult and children age groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion In terms of the frequency of occurrence to various sinonasal region variations, statistically significant differences were observed between both genders and age groups. The correlations of the detected variations with each other were also remarkable. Consequently, it is believed that comprehensive studies and serious objective evaluations evaluating the change of frequency of anatomical variations according to age and gender besides their correlation with each other are required.