Paranasal sinus development and choanal atresia

Abstract

Background: Although the determinates of paranasal sinus development and sinusitis are not well defined, a candidate factor is blockage of the choana.

Hypothesis: Maxillary sinuses ipsilateral to unilateral choanal atresia are comparatively small and have more evidence of sinusitis than do the contralateral sinuses.

Design: Retrospective.

Setting: Children's hospitals.

Patients: Sixteen nonsyndomic children with isolated unilateral congenital choanal atresia.

Main outcome measures: Determination of maxillary sinus volumes and mucoperiosteal thickening on preoperative computed tomograms.

Results: Maxillary sinuses ipsilateral to unilateral choanal atresia have slightly larger volumes than, and mucoperiosteal thickening that is similar to, the contralateral sinuses.

Conclusion: These data suggest that maxillary sinus development and sinusitis are independent of posterior nasal ventilation and drainage.