Comparative study of the pneumatization of the mastoid air cells and paranasal sinuses using three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography scans

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the pneumatization of mastoid air cells and PNS using three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of computed tomography (CT) scans of the PNS.

Methods: A retrospective review of PNS CT scans from 60 cases was performed. Patients with evidence of sinusitis or mastoiditis, or a history of head trauma, were excluded from the study. Volumes were measured using 3D reconstruction based on axial images of 1 mm thickness. Volumes of the mastoid air cells (right and left), frontal sinus, sphenoid sinus, and maxillary sinuses (right and left) were obtained and compared using statistical analysis.

Results: The volume of mastoid air cells and sinuses did change with age, but the volumes of male subjects were larger than those of females. There was a positive correlation between the pneumatization of mastoid air cells and that of the sphenoid sinus; however, no relationship was observed between the volume of mastoid air cells and that of the maxillary sinuses.

Conclusions: This study examined whether a similarity in pneumatization exists between the mastoid air cells and PNS of individuals; these results may be useful in understanding the normal and pathological conditions of both structures.