[The ethmoido-maxillary plate and paranasal sinuses--a study by HRCT]

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Radiology
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• The ethmoido-maxillary plate is a critical anatomical structure.
• Its variations can impact sinus health and surgical approaches.
• Understanding its morphology is essential for diagnosing and treating sinonasal pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To classify the configurations of the ethmoido-maxillary plate.
• To determine the relationship between the ethmoido-maxillary plate and adjacent sinonasal structures.
• To analyze the incidence of direct contact between the sphenoidal and maxillary sinuses.

Main Methods:

• High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans of 141 adult patients were analyzed.
• Axial images were used to evaluate the ethmoido-maxillary plate morphology.
• The plate was classified into four configurations: straight, anterior-concave, posterior-concave, and combined concave forms.

Main Results:

• Four configurations of the ethmoido-maxillary plate were identified: straight (55%), anterior-concave (23%), posterior-concave (13%), and combined concave (9%).
• Symmetrical configurations were observed in 50% of cases.
• The number of ethmoidal/sphenoidal cells in contact varied, with 2 cells being most common (47%).
• Direct contact between the sphenoidal and maxillary sinuses occurred in 19% of cases.

Conclusions:

• The ethmoido-maxillary plate exhibits diverse configurations, with the straight form being most prevalent.
• Variations in plate morphology influence the number of adjacent sinonasal cells.
• A significant percentage of individuals have direct contact between the sphenoidal and maxillary sinuses, highlighting potential pathways for disease spread.