A STUDY OF ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS OF NOSE AND PARANASAL SINUSES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC RHINOSINUSITIS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a collection of conditions marked by inflammation of the mucosal lining of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. This study aimed to ascertain the incidence of sinonasal anatomical changes contributing to chronic sinusitis by analyzing the computed tomography (CT) scans of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis at a tertiary care hospital.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Dept. of ENT for a period of one year. The study comprised 50 patients diagnosed with chronic rhino sinusitis. Data about age, gender, chief complaints, sinus involvement and anatomical variations observed in the CT scan was collected from the patients
RESULTS: The majority of respondents were between 20 and 30 years old. There were 31 male and 19 female patients. Nasal obstruction was the most common symptom (80%), followed by Nasal discharge (78%). Maxillary rhinosinusitis was the most common (74%) type of sinus involved followed by ethmoid rhinosinusitis(64%). Deviated nasal septum (82%), Chonchabullosa (36%), Frontoethmoidal cells (34%), uncinate attached to middle turbinate (12%), Onodi cells (4%) & Haller cells (2%) are the anatomical variations in CRS patients
CONCLUSION: Anatomical differences in paranasal sinus structures may predispose individuals to chronic rhinosinusitis, with a deviated nasal septum identified as the most prevalent variant. Accurate understanding of anatomical differences of the paranasal sinuses is crucial in chronic rhinosinusitis to avert potential difficulties during surgical procedures. Computed tomography is the preferred method for assessing paranasal sinuses and surrounding tissues.