SİNONAZAL BÖLGE ANATOMİK VARYASYONLARININ PARANAZAL SİNÜS ENFEKSİYONLARI İLE İLİŞKİSİ.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of anatomical variations of the sinonasal region detected by Computed Tomography (CT) and, to investigate their roles on paranasal sinus infections. Methods: In this study, coronal section CT images of 120 patients who were admitted to our hospital’s Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic with sinonasal complaints between January 2012 and November 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Sinonasal anatomical variations detected by CT imaging and their relationships with the mucosal pathologies of paranasal sünuses were also investigated. Results: On paranasal CT imaging, major variations in order of their frequency were Agger nasi cells (47.5%), concha bullosa (34.2%), septum deviation (31.2%), septum pneumatization (24.5%) and paradoxical middle concha (17.5%). Of these cases, 55% were associated with mucosal pathologies and maxillary sinuses were the most frequently involved sinus. Paradoxical middle concha, Agger nasi cell, septum pneumatization and septum deviation were frequently encountered with mucoperiosteal pathologies whereas Onodi and Haller cell seemed to associate sinus pathologies less commonly. Conclusion: Sinonasal anatomic variations are closely related with occurrence of paranasal sinus infection. CT is the most effective diagnostic tool for evaluation of these variations. Considering and reporting of these variations are important because preoperative identification of these anatomic variations gives advantage to the surgeon for choosing the operation type as well as clarify the reason of the sinonasal complaints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]