title: What is the Relationship between the Localization of Maxillary Fungal Balls and Intranasal Anatomic Variations?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although the mechanisms underlying the initiation and maintenance of inflammation in unilateral maxillary fungal balls (FBs) are poorly understood, the relationship between intranasal anatomy and maxillary FB is thought to play an important role. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anatomic variations and FB.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 140 patients who were composed of 56 patients with FB, 56 patients with unilateral chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and 28 patients with no sinus disease. Computed tomography scans were retrospectively analyzed to identify and compare the associated nasal anatomic abnormalities. To measure the volume of the nasal cavity and middle meatus, computed tomography scans were reconstructed into three-dimensional images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The relatively larger volume of the middle meatus was associated with the localization of the FB in contrast with the CRS. However, the nasal-cavity volume, nasal valve area, and nasal septal deviation were not significantly associated with localization of FB. The mean volumetric and areal measurements such as nasal cavity, middle meatus, and nasal valve in FB-ipsilateral sides were not significantly different from those in contralateral sides as well as other groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The middle meatus bears the major part of the inspiratory nasal airflow, and its volume may influence the occurrence of FB.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Se Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Jun Myung
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Jin Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Byung Guk
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Kim