The Effect of Anatomical Variations of Concha Bullosa on Maxillary Sinus Volume using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Imaging

Abstract

Author(s): Mahshid Razavi, Sanaz Sharifishoshtari, Saeed Shirafkan, Behnaz Baratvand

Background and Objective: Concha Bullosa (CB) is called partial or total pneumatisation of the middle turbinate and is the most common anatomic variation of the ostiomeatal complex region. CB is a Pneumatisation of the middle turbinate and is the most common anatomical variation in the ostiomeatal complex. It is divided into lamellar, bulbous, and extensive types. Some studies demonstrated prevalence between 14% and 53%. CB can be small, medium, or large and cause nasal cavity obstruction. Although it usually remains asymptomatic, a large concha bullosa can occasionally compromise drainage of the sinuses, resulting in chronic paranasal sinus disorders. Materials and Methods: The study group included 200 CBCT images and a total of 400 maxillary sinuses, which were retrospectively selected from the records in the CBCT archive. Maxillary sinus volume of all CBCT images was calculated using NNT Viewer version 10.1 software. Maxillary sinus volume differences were evaluated by comparing the bilateral sinus volumes in patients with CB and without CB. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 54.2% of men and 48.2% of women had Concha Bullosa. There was no statistically significant relationship between gender and concha bullosa (p>0.05). The volume of the right and left sinus in men was larger than the volume of the right and left sinus in women and the difference in the average volume was statistically significant (p<0.05). The volume of the maxillary sinus on the side with concha bullosa was less than the side without concha bullosa, but there was no statistically significant difference in the volume of the right and left sinus in people with or without concha bullosa (p>0.05). Among the people with concha bullosa, 42 people (42%) had Extensive, 20 people (20%) had lamellar and 38 people (38%) had bulbous. The volume of the right and left sinus was higher in the extensive type, followed by the volume of the lamellar type, and the smallest volume was obtained for the bulbous type. There was no significant difference between the average of these volumes on the right side and the left side (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings show that the volume of the maxillary sinuses is smaller on the side with CB. In addition, Extensive is the most common type and no significant difference was found between the volume of maxillary sinuses in CB types on the right and left side.

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