Jae-Min Shin1, Byung Joon Baek2, Jang Yul Byun3, Young Joon Jun4, Jae Yong Lee5. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Republic of Korea. 3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Kumi Hospital, Kyungsangbuk-Do, Republic of Korea. 5. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: jyent@schmc.ac.kr.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis of MSFB development remains unclear, but it has been suggested that poor sinus ventilation is associated with disease development; such a ventilation is influenced by anatomical variation of the paranasal sinuses. Thus, we sought to determine whether sinonasal anatomical variations were associated with MSFB development. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with MSFB and 28 gender-matched control patients were included in the present study. The presence or absence of Haller cells and a concha bullosa were scored, and the angle of septal deviation and the minimal and maximal lengths of the infundibulum were measured on preoperative computed tomography images. RESULTS: In the MSFB group, both a concha bullosa (61.3% vs. 28.6%, p=0.006) and Haller cells (41.9% vs. 30.4%) were present at higher frequencies than in the control group, although the between-group difference in Haller cell occurrence was not statistically significant (p=0.348). In addition, MSFB patients had a significantly lower mean infundibular width (3.23±0.69mm vs. 3.99±1.17mm, p<0.001) and a longer infundibular length (9.71±1.43mm vs. 8.23±1.72mm, p<0.001) than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Sinonasal anatomical variations, especially the presence of a concha bullosa, and/or a narrow and long infundibulum, may play roles in the development of maxillary sinus fungal balls (MSFBs).
OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis of MSFB development remains unclear, but it has been suggested that poor sinus ventilation is associated with disease development; such a ventilation is influenced by anatomical variation of the paranasal sinuses. Thus, we sought to determine whether sinonasal anatomical variations were associated with MSFB development. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with MSFB and 28 gender-matched control patients were included in the present study. The presence or absence of Haller cells and a concha bullosa were scored, and the angle of septal deviation and the minimal and maximal lengths of the infundibulum were measured on preoperative computed tomography images. RESULTS: In the MSFB group, both a concha bullosa (61.3% vs. 28.6%, p=0.006) and Haller cells (41.9% vs. 30.4%) were present at higher frequencies than in the control group, although the between-group difference in Haller cell occurrence was not statistically significant (p=0.348). In addition, MSFB patients had a significantly lower mean infundibular width (3.23±0.69mm vs. 3.99±1.17mm, p<0.001) and a longer infundibular length (9.71±1.43mm vs. 8.23±1.72mm, p<0.001) than controls. CONCLUSIONS: Sinonasal anatomical variations, especially the presence of a concha bullosa, and/or a narrow and long infundibulum, may play roles in the development of maxillary sinus fungal balls (MSFBs).