[CT scanning analysis for maxillary sinus bony septum abnormalities and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the extent and distribution of disease as well as associated anatomic abnormalities in patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps.

METHOD

Both axial and coronal CT scans of eight patients who failed medical therapy and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULT

Among them, five were found to have vertically aligned coronal bony septum, two were horizontal, one sagittal. Complete bony septum divided the maxillary sinus into two separate cavities in four patients, others had incomplete bony septum. Based upon the CT scan findings, patients suffered from these anatomic abnormalities received Galdwell-Luc procedures and pansinusectomy through mid-facial degloving approach respectively. All patients did well postoperatively and were symptom free for six months.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that the CT scan can display the distribution and extent of residual disease, demonstrate anatomic abnormalities, and guide therapeutic intervention. The combination of axial with coronal CT scan can effectively determine the incidence of the maxillary sinus bony septum.