title: Anatomical variations of uncinate process observed in chronic sinusitis.
abstract: Chronic Sinusitis, an extremely persistent illness, is surgically best treated by Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. The ostiomeatal complex is the main area targeted and within it uncinate process is the first anatomical structure encountered. The significance of anatomical variations concerning age and sex of uncinate process in chronic sinusitis were evaluated. A prospective study on 50 patients of chronic sinusitis (100 uncinate processes) was done. The results were tabulated and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 16.0. Type I superior attachment of uncinate process (67 %) was the most common variety in all ages and both sexes and a statistically significant relationship between Type I superior attachment of uncinate process and sex was found (p < 0.05). The typical uncinate process was most common (70 %) followed by medial deviation of the uncinate (24 %). This difference in occurrence was significant with respect to both age and sex (p < 0.05). Anatomical variations of uncinate process are not responsible for causing chronic sinusitis. Mere presence of these variations of uncinate is not an indication for FESS.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT & HNS, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences & Central Referral Hospital, Tadong, Gangtok, 737102 Sikkim India.
authors.forename: Isha Preet
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Tuli
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT & HNS, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences & Central Referral Hospital, Tadong, Gangtok, 737102 Sikkim India.
authors.forename: Subhabrata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sengupta
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT & HNS, JCD Hospital, Sirsa, 125055 Haryana India.
authors.forename: Sudeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Munjal
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT & HNS, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences & Central Referral Hospital, Tadong, Gangtok, 737102 Sikkim India.
authors.forename: Santosh Prasad
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kesari
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT & HNS, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences & Central Referral Hospital, Tadong, Gangtok, 737102 Sikkim India.
authors.forename: Suvamoy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
keywords: Chronic sinusitis; Middle meatus; Uncinate process