Anatomical Variation in the Drainage Pattern of Frontal Sinus – A Cadaveric Study

Abstract

Background A proper and detailed knowledge about the frontal sinus drainage pathway is essential for the radiologist to interpret the computed tomography scan of the paranasal air sinuses to find out normal and variant in the anatomy of frontal sinus ostium, and also for the surgeons to do endonasal sinus surgery particularly in the frontal sinus area with enough confidence and to give good postoperative result. With this background, the present study was focused to study the variation in the drainage pattern of frontal sinus in relation to uncinate process in cadaveric specimens. Materials and Methods The midsagittal section of head and neck portion of 40 cadaveric specimens with intact frontal sinus and frontal sinus drainage pattern were selected. By careful dissection, pattern of frontal sinus drainage was identified and pattern of drainage of frontal sinus in relation with uncinate process was studied. Result Frontal sinus drainage pattern is anteromedial to uncinate process (Type 1) in 28 specimens (70%) and posterolateral to uncinate process (Type 2) in 12 specimens (30%). Conclusion The results of our study show that the frontal sinus drainage pattern is more commonly present anteromedial to uncinate process compared with posterolateral position. This variation in the drainage pattern of frontal sinus should be kept in mind by the radiologist to give proper radiological interpretation and by the surgeons to avoid intraoperative complications and also to give good postoperative result.

Frequency of the frontal sinus aplasia among Saudi Arabian population. A single-center retrospective case review

“…For instance, proper identification of subjects can be reached through comparing the frontal sinus radiographs ante- and post mortem, since these images are characteristic for each individual. 11 , 14 , 15 This method is not appropriate for cases with absent frontal sinus; thus, sphenoid sinus can be used along with other standard methods of identification. 11 , 14 , 15 On another hand, a better understanding of anatomical differences will assist neurosurgeons performing pterional or supraorbital operations, and lessens the complications due to the close relation of the sinus to the surroundings including orbit and frontal skull base.…”

“… 11 , 14 , 15 This method is not appropriate for cases with absent frontal sinus; thus, sphenoid sinus can be used along with other standard methods of identification. 11 , 14 , 15 On another hand, a better understanding of anatomical differences will assist neurosurgeons performing pterional or supraorbital operations, and lessens the complications due to the close relation of the sinus to the surroundings including orbit and frontal skull base. 10 Although the present study is the first report among the Saudi Arabian population, it has been limited by being conducted as a single-center and including a relatively small number of cases.…”

“… 9 In addition, it has been established that radiographic imaging and sufficient knowledge of the frontal sinus anatomical variation are substantial parts of the pre-surgical assessment as well as the identification of individuals for forensic purpose. 10 , 11 Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the frequency of frontal sinus aplasia using computed tomography (CT) of the paranasal sinus among the Saudi Arabian population.…”