Anatomical Variations of the Nose and Paranasal Sinuses in Palakkad Population Using CT Scan - A Case Control Study

Background and Objectives: Chronic sinusitis is repeated spells of acute infection or persistent inflammation of the sinuses. Computerized tomographic imaging provides a complete anatomical examination of the paranasal region. Methods: A case-control pilot study was carried out on 60 patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. The control group comprising of 60 are from ENT clinic patients with diagnoses other than sinusitis. Results: 73.3% of the males in the cases group had mucosal thickening of maxillary sinus. 60% of the females in the posterior ethmoidal complex. The most commonly encountered anatomical variations was deviated nasal septum being 70.0% of the left side for males in the cases group and 56.7% of the right side in the females cases group. Then, 53.3% in the right side for males and 53.3% for left side for females in the control group. Conclusion: Precise knowledge of the anatomy of the paranasal sinuses is essential for the clinician to plan the outcome of any treatment procedures. The underlying anatomical variations could possibly be the causative factor for persistent sinusitis.