Uncommon anatomic variations in patients with chronic paranasal sinusitis.
OBJECTIVE
Some uncommon anatomic variations would be encountered with the increasing number of patients with chronic paranasal sinusitis who have undergone functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The correct identification and proper treatment for these variations are important.


METHODS
A retrospective study of serial computed tomography scan images was conducted in 100 patients collected randomly. Uncommon anatomic variations were recorded and clinical features were analyzed.


RESULTS
Five (5%) cases with uncommon anatomic variations were found. These variations included bilateral pneumatization of uncinate process (1%), large uncinate process mimics the middle turbinate (1%), nontraumatic protrusion of orbital contents through dehiscence of lamina papyracea (1%), and nasal septal pneumatization (2%). Two of these 5 cases caused some modifications of routine functional endoscopic sinus surgery procedures and another 2 variants commanded further caution during routine uncinectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Uncommon anatomic variations, though unusual, are not rare in chronic paranasal sinusitis patients. Procedures should be tailored for most of these special conditions.
Chao
Ting-Kuang
TK
Department of Otolaryngology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Pan-Chiao, Taipei, Taiwan. sulh1129@ms1.hinet.net
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004724:Endoscopy; D005004:Ethmoid Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D009915:Orbit / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed