Morphometric Assessment of the Maxillary Air Sinus through Multidetector Computed Tomography in Patients of Sub-Himalayan Region of Northern India

Introduction: Maxillary sinuses (MS) are the largest paranasal sinuses (PNSs) and the first to develop in the human body. They lie in close proximity to delicate and vulnerable structures such as orbit, nasal and oral cavities, and pterygopalatine fossae and are readily involved in sinonasal pathology; hence, a thorough knowledge of normal dimensions and frequently encountered variations of MS is of utmost importance to the performing surgeons. Methodology: A study was conducted to see the morphometry and prevalent variations of MS in 101 patients through multidetector computed tomography of PNSs in sub-Himalayan population at a tertiary health institution in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Results: The mean anteroposterior (AP)/superoinferior (SI)/mediolateral diameters for right MS were 37.63 mm/36.41 mm/26.20 mm, which was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in males. The mean diameters of left MS were 37.52 mm/36.57 mm/25.99 mm. AP diameter was significantly higher ( P = 0.04) in males of 31–50 years of age. The volume of right and left MS was 18.55 cm 3 and 18.43 cm 3 . All parameters of MS were lower in females than males. The most common variation found was accessory maxillary ostium (36.6%). Septa were more in left MS (24.7%). Hypoplasia, predominantly type I, was also more in left MS (7.9%). Conclusions: The AP and SI diameters were significantly higher for right-sided MS among males. The AP diameter was also significantly higher in middle-aged males. All parameters of MS were lower in females than males.