Volumetric Analysis of the Maxillary, Sphenoid and Frontal Sinuses: A Comparative Computerized Tomography Based Study

Objective: To study volume characteristics of the maxillary, sphenoid and frontal sinuses among healthy Caucasians adults, using computed tomography (CT) scans.

Methods: A retrospective, case series study in a single academic center, CT scans of 201 consecutive adult subjects, performed between January and September 2014, were reviewed for the volume and dimensions of the paranasal sinuses. Patients with documented sinus pathology or lack of pneumatization were excluded. The study population was subdivided by gender and age (50 men age 25-64; 51 men age ≥65; 50 women age 25-64, and 50 women age ≥65).

Results: The mean volume of maxillary, sphenoid and frontal sinuses in the four groups were 12.75±4.38 cc; 4.00±1.99 cc and 2.92±2.57 cc, respectively. In both genders, older patients demonstrated a significantly lower volume of the maxillary and sphenoid sinuses (14.81±3.96 cc vs. 11.82±4.28 cc and 4.84±1.97 vs. 3.84±1.89 cc respectively; p<0.001). No age related difference was found in the frontal sinus. Males had significantly larger sinus volumes than females (p<0.001): maxillary 14.38±(4.64) vs. 12.23±(3.82) cc, sphenoid 4.74±(2.06) vs. 3.55±(1.73) cc, frontal 3.74±(2.97) vs. 3.21±(2.79) cc. No synergistic effect of age and gender was found.

Conclusion: Volumes of the paranasal sinuses correlates with age and gender. Age related volume degeneration is expected in the maxillary and sphenoid sinuses. This volume reduction may influence future surgical and therapeutic approaches in the geriatric population.