The association of frontal recess anatomy and mucosal disease on the presence of chronic frontal sinusitis: A computed tomographic analysis*

Objectives: The frontal sinus has the most complex and variable drainage routes of all paranasal sinus regions. The goal of this study was to identify these anatomical factors and infammation areas relating to chronic frontal sinusitis by comparing radiological presentations in patients with and without frontal sinusitis.

Methods: All adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who had received computed tomography (CT) scans of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses between October 2010 and September 2011. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare the distribution of various frontal recess cells and surrounding infammatory conditions in patients with and without frontal sinusitis.

Results: Analysis of 240 sides of CT scans was performed with 66 sides excluded. The opacifcation of the frontal recess and sinus lateralis demonstrated a strong association with an increased presence of frontal sinusitis by multiple logistic regression models.

Conclusion: Opacifcation of the frontal recess and sinus lateralis was found to be associated with a signifcantly increased risk of frontal sinusitis and developing severe blockage of drainage pathways. It provides evidence that mucosal infammation disease in these two areas is a very important factor leading to chronic frontal sinusitis.