A Prospective Study on the Anatomical Variations of the Frontal Recess and its Association with Computer Tomographic Signs of Sinusitis

The frontal recess region has a complex anatomy and HRCT scans of the paranasal sinuses (PNS) are the gold standard in evaluating it. Classification systems have been established to identify the frontal recess cells. The objectives of this study are to describe the incidence of anatomical variations, classify the anatomy of the frontal recess using the IFAC & Kuhn’s classification systems, find the association between the anatomical variations and the incidence of CT signs of sinusitis. A prospective study of patients undergoing HRCT-PNS was carried out. The frontal recess region was evaluated and classified as per both classification systems. The prevalence of each frontal cell was identified; presence of CT signs of sinusitis was noted and the correlation between the two was evaluated. 272 sides of HRCT scans were evaluated. Prevalence of cells as per IFAC classification showed ANC - 98.2%, SAC-43.4%, SBC-33.1%, SAFC- 28.3%, FSC -25%, SBFC- 3.7% and SOEC- 2.2%. Prevalence of cells as per Kuhn’s classification showed ANC - 98.2%, Type 1- 38.2%, SBC-32.7%, FSC -24.3%, Type 3- 16.9%, Type 2- 12.9%, Type 4- 4.8%, FBC- 2.6% and SOEC-2.2%. Sinusitis was seen in 27.2% cases. A significant association was noted between the presence of SOEC, FSC and sinusitis as per both classification systems. (P=0.049 and P<0.001 respectively). In conclusion the cells which lead to an anteriorly based drainage pathway are more common, but the presence of posteriorly based SOEC and medially based FSC have a higher association with sinusitis.