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Investigation of flow characteristics in the maxillary sinus where polypoid changes develop
Seung-Kyu Chung1, Seongsu Byun2, Yang Na2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Computers in Biology and Medicine
|October 10, 2018
Summary
Computational fluid dynamics revealed stagnant airflow in the lower maxillary sinus where polyps form. This poor ventilation, with low wall shear and pressure, may contribute to polyp development.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Maxillary sinus polyps can alter local airflow dynamics.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for diagnosing and treating sinus conditions.
Observation:
- A computational fluid dynamics model of a patient's nasal cavity was created using CT scans.
- Virtual polypectomy was performed to simulate the removal of polypoid changes.
- Airflow patterns within the maxillary sinus were analyzed over a full respiration cycle.
Findings:
- Airflow stagnation was observed in the lower maxillary sinus, particularly in protruding zones where polyps typically occur.
- Slow, recirculating airflow patterns were identified in bulging areas, interacting with larger vortex structures.
- Airflow velocity within the maxillary sinus was significantly lower than in the middle meatus, resulting in minimal wall shear stress and pressure variations.
Implications:
- Stagnant airflow and low shear stress in the maxillary sinus may promote polyp formation and growth.
- These findings highlight the importance of airflow dynamics in sinus pathophysiology.
- The study provides insights for developing targeted therapies for maxillary sinus polyps.
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