Anatomic evaluation and description of the frontal sinus in the Mexican population between 20 to 60 years old through computed tomography

Abstract

Introduction: the frontal sinus has variations due to its development. These variations include asymmetry and even agenesis. Method: an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted. We measured the antero-posterior, longitudinal and transversal diameters of the frontal sinus in 50 randomly chosen computed tomography scans (CT), in patients from 20 to 60 years old; measures were subsequently classified according to sex and age group by 5 year intervals. Results: a total of 50 CT of the head provided by the PET / CT unit of the Faculty of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico were analyzed. 36% were men and 64% women. They were grouped in five-year groups of age: 21-25 (10%), 26-30 (4%), 31-35 (6%), 36-40 (12%), 41-45 (14%), 46-50 (8%), 51-55 (26%) and 56-60 (20%). Variations in the antero-posterior, longitudinal and transversal diameters matched by age, sex and right and left sides were found and 6 cases of agenesis of the frontal sinus, 84% were female and 16% male. 50% occurred bilaterally, 34% of the left sinus and 16% of the right sinus. Conclusions: the clinical implication of these findings is beyond the scope of this study, however, these can be used as reference for future research.