Frontal recess anatomy study by endoscopic dissection in cadavers.
OBJECTIVE
The frontal sinus ostium is frequently difficult to recognize because of anatomical structures that hide it. The objective of the present study was to identify and describe the frontal recess anatomy that impairs the endoscopic recognition of the frontal sinus ostium.


METHODS
A prospective study was conducted by consecutive endoscopic dissections of 32 cadavers (59 sides), 10 (31.25%) females and 22 (68.75%) males. After resection of the lower portion of the uncinate process, with preservation of its upper insertion, we evaluated which anatomical structures needed to be removed for complete visualization of the frontal sinus ostium.


CONCLUSIONS
Visualization of the frontal sinus ostium after resection of the lower portion of the uncinate process was possible in only 11 (18.64%) nasal cavities. The uncinate process (terminal recess) was the main anatomical structure that impaired the recognition of the frontal sinus ostium, present in 45 (76.27%) nasal cavities, followed by the ethmoid bulla (16.95%) and agger nasi cells (6.78%).
Lessa
Marcus Miranda
MM
FMUSP. imuno@ufba.br/lessamm@terra.com.br
Voegels
Richards Louis
RL
Cunha Filho
Bernardo
B
Sakae
Flavio
F
Butugan
Ossamu
O
Wolf
Gerald
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005626:Frontal Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged