[Histopathologic observation and 3DCT reconstruction of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in children with cleft palates].

The morphologic characteristics of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in children with cleft palate were studied by means of histopathology, CT scan, computer-aided image analysis and three-dimensional CT (3DCT) reconstruction. Our results suggested (1) incompetent velopharynx is the main reason for high incidence of sinusitis in children with cleft palate; (2) computer-aided image analysis, together with 3DCT reconstruction, may calculate and demonstrate the volume and shape of the paranasal sinuses. We believe this method may be useful in the future to study the development of the paranasal sinuses in children. 3DCT reconstruction provides a better understanding of the size and invasion of the lesion located in nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. This method may be used as an aid to teaching and surgical planning.