Incidence of accessory ostia in patients with chronic maxillary sinusitis

Abstract

Background: Chronic maxillary sinusitisis is one of the most frequent diseases presenting in ENT out patient department seeking medical attention. Defects in the fontanelle region of the lateral nasal wall have been described as accessory ostia. The presence of AMO in both pre and post operated cases of chronic maxillary sinusitis can cause recirculation of mucus leading to recurrences. In the present study we will investigate the incidence of accessory ostia in patients with clinical and radiological signs of chronic maxillary sinusitis. Methods: The study included 100 patients visiting the out patient department of Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute selected according to inclusion criteria with a clinical diagnosis of chronic rhino sinusitis which was confirmed by high resolution CT scan and those patients were subjected to diagnostic nasal endoscopy under local anesthesia. Results: The study group consisted of total 100 patients among whom 56 were male patients and 44 were female patients. Accessory maxillary ostia were detected in 23% of the cases and in rest of the 77% cases it was absent. Among the 23 cases in 35% cases accessory ostia were found to be bilateral and in 65% cases it was found to be unilateral. Among the cases where accessory ostia were seen, in 39% cases only accessory ostia were found. Where as in 17.39% cases it was associated with concha bullosa, in 65.2% cases there was deviated nasal septum and in 8.7% cases paradoxical middle turbinate were found to be present. Conclusions: To conclude, the present study revealed close association of accessory ostia with chronic maxillary rhino sinusitis. It was also found that majority of the cases accessory ostia were found to be unilateral and were frequently found in the posterior fontanelle region.