C. T. analysis of frontal recess cells and their effect on frontal sinus disease

Abstract EN

Background Frontal recess anatomy can be very complex concerning its anatomical configuration.

Accessory cells of variable anatomical locations, such as frontal cells, may encroach upon the frontal recess and possibly contributing to obstruction of the frontal sinus.

In this study, we determined the prevalence of these cells and their relationship to frontal sinusitis.

Methods: Coronal computed tomography scans of the paranasal sinuses performed between May 2005 and June 2006 were evaluated for presence of frontal cells, and sinus disease.

Eighty two Patients scans were available for review.

Results: In this study, we identified Frontal cells in 28% of the examined CT scans.

The most common type of Frontal cells were type I with 15.9%, followed by type III with 5.4%, then type II with 3.7%, while the least common was type IV cells with only 3% with.

No frontal cells were identified in 72% of the individuals.

We examined the association of frontal cells with the presence of sinus disease.

Comparing individuals with frontal cells to those without frontal cells, 28.1% versus 18% indicated frontal mucosal thickening (/K0.01), 36.4% versus 35.6% indicated maxillary mucosal.

thickening {p= 0.81), and 29.1% versus 25.1% indicated ethmoid mucosal thickening (p = 0.44).

Conclusion: The prevalence of frontal cells among a population undergoing sinus computed tomography is 28%.

The presence of frontal cells does not invariably lead to frontal sinusitis but may contribute to the mechanical obstruction of the frontal recess and should be appropriately addressed during the surgical management of frontal sinusitis.