Is there a relationship between middle concha bullosa and ethmoid roof asymmetry?

INTRODUCTION

The middle turbinate and ethmoid roof are intranasal structures and may have many anatomical variations. These structures, which serve as anatomical markers during functional sinus surgery, are important for preventing complications and performing a proper surgery. Knowledge of anatomical variations will increase surgical success and reduce complications.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the presence of asymmetry in the ethmoidal roof and anatomical variation in patients with and without concha bullosa.

METHODS

In this study, the files of patients who underwent paranasal computed tomography between 2012 and 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups, as patients with and without concha bullosa. Differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, septum deviation, ethmoid artery dehiscence, ethmoid roof asymmetry were examined.

RESULTS

The 369 patients included in our study were divided into two groups; those with concha bullosa and those without concha bullosa. The mean age of the patients with concha bullosa was 36.1 ± 13.4 (min-max: 12-74) and the mean age of patients without concha bullosa was 37.5 ± 14.3 (min-max: 10-81). The ethmoid roof depths were compared between the two groups and a significant difference was observed (p < 0.001). The ethmoid roof depth was higher in the group with concha bullosa (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results of our study indicate that the ethmoidal roof tends to be higher in patients with middle concha bullosa.