Comparative evaluation of paranasal sinus volumes between maxillary
deficiency requiring Le Fort osteotomy patients and control patients
Abstract
Introduction: The anatomy of the paranasal sinuses is important for many
surgeon groups. The precise knowledge of such structures with variable
anatomy will be important for the preservation of these structures and
the management of complications in surgeries such as endoscopic sinus
surgery and osteotomies involving the maxilla. Objective: The purpose of
the present study is to investigate volumetric differences between
ethmoid, sphenoid and maxillary sinus volumes in patients with maxillary
deficiency requiring Le Fort osteotomy and healthy patients, by
employing computed tomography imaging. Methods: Computed tomography
scans of 120 patients (59 maxillary deficiency patients and 61 control
patients) were included in the study. Images were processed, the
paranasal sinuses were sculpted out from 3D images and measured. All
measurements were taken twice by the same observers. The observers
performed the study twice with an interval of 2 weeks to detect
intra-observer variability. Results: Ethmoid and left and right
maxillary sinus volumes were smaller in the Le Fort group, although no
differences were observed for sphenoid sinus volumes. Conclusion:
Paranasal sinus volumes varied between maxillary deficiency patients and
control patients. This condition may be crucial for the surgeon
operating in these areas and should be taken into consideration during
surgeries.