A Study of Anatomical Variations of Osteomeatal Complex in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients-CT Findings

Chronic rhino sinusitis (CRS) is the most common disease for which consultation of otorhinolaryngologist is sought. The approach to patients with chronic rhino sinusitis is endoscopic surgery which aims at removing the obstruction of the main drainage pathway. The osteomeatal complex based essentially on the concept that such obstruction perpetuates the sinus disease. This in turn requires the surgeons to have detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the lateral nasal wall, paranasal sinuses and surrounding vital structures and of the large number of anatomical variants in the region.

To study anatomical variations of osteomeatal complex in chronic sinusitis patients.

Descriptive cross-sectional study design in which 54 consecutive cases of chronic rhino sinusitis patients attending the ENT outpatient department, who had chronic sinusitis for more than three months duration not responding to the medical line of treatment and who were willing to undergo Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery satisfying the inclusion criteria were studied. The results were expressed in percentage and proportions.

In our study it was observed that 53.7% of the chronic sinusitis cases had two or more anatomical variations and 33.3% of the cases had single anatomical variation. Deviated nasal septum was found to be the most common amongst the anatomical variations in chronic sinusitis cases in the present study which was followed by unilateral concha bullosa and paradoxically bent middle turbinate. Agger nasi cell and Haller cell were seen in one case each.

Prevalence of multiple anatomical variations was more in our study in comparison to single anatomical variation. Deviated nasal septum was the most common anatomical variation encountered in our study followed by concha bullosa.