Three-dimensional reconstruction based on computed tomography images of the frontal sinus drainage pathway.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the utility of three-dimensional reconstructions of paranasal sinus computed tomography data in depicting the anatomy of the frontal sinus drainage pathway.


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients underwent imaging of the sinuses for various clinical indications. Variations in frontal sinus recess anatomy were determined from 0.75-mm thick coronal, axial and sagittal computed tomography images. Three-dimensional, reformatted images were generated from manually segmented volumes of interest. Observations were made on the variation and usefulness of these reconstructions.


RESULTS
Three-dimensional, reformatted images of segmented volumes aided delineation of the spatial relationships of the frontal sinus, frontal sinus drainage pathway, infundibular and meatal direction of drainage, agger nasi cells, ethmoid bulla cells, supraorbital cells, and suprabullar cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional, reformatted images of frontonasal anatomy enable improved understanding of the frontal sinus drainage pathway anatomy and of the spatial relationships between ethmoid air cells in this region. Such images may provide a useful adjunct to surgical planning and education.
Reitzen
S D
SD
Department of Otolaryngology, New York University Medical Center, USA.
Wang
E Y
EY
Butros
S R
SR
Babb
J
J
Lebowitz
R A
RA
Jacobs
J B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods; D005005:Ethmoid Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005626:Frontal Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014420:Turbinates / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D055815:Young Adult