Comparison of Frontal Sinus Dimensions with Different Skeletal Classes and Vertical Patterns: A Retrospective Study

The aim of this work is to compare the size of the frontal sinus and the different skeletal classes and divergence patterns of the subjects.

This study retrospectively includes lateral radiographs performed on a total of 200 adults (78 M, 122 F; mean age 29.2 ± 8.0 years). Subject inclusion criteria were an age of 18-45 years, presence of both frontal sinuses, and good general health with no hormonal system disorders that may affect the growth and pneumatization of the frontal sinuses. Four different parameters of the frontal sinus were evaluated: length, width, perimeter, and area. In order to calculate the variables inherent to the sagittal and vertical skeletal pattern, two independent nominal variables were considered: skeletal class (ANB°) and mandibular divergence (SN^MP°).

The statistical analysis showed that there is a statistically significant difference between the frontal sinus dimension and the three skeletal classes. Subjects in group 3 presented significantly higher mean dimensional values. In the analysis of sinus size variables with skeletal divergence, significant results were found for the width value, which resulted in higher average values in group c.

The present study shows a statistically significant difference in frontal sinus size among different skeletal classes and divergence patterns. This result suggests that, in future studies, it should be analyzed whether the dimensional analysis of the frontal sinus could be associated with skeletal class III malocclusion.