Assesment of Prelacrimal Recess in Patients With Maxillary Sinus Hypoplasia Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Background: The prelacrimal recess approach, is frequently preferred in creating a minimally invasive surgical corridors.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Prelacrimal recess (PLR) anatomy using Cone Beam Computed Tomography in patients with Maxillary Sinus Hypoplasia.

Methods: The paranasal Cone Beam Computed Tomography series of 84 adults were analyzed retrospectively. The antero-posterior and mesio-distal widths of the PLR and the antero-posterior width of the naso-lacrimal duct were measured. The patients were divided into three groups according to the antero-posterior width of PLR to evaluate the feasibility of prelacrimal recess approach as Type 1 (0-3 mm), Type 2 (>3-7 mm) and Type 3 (>7 mm).

Results: The mean antero-posterior width of PLR was 3.11 ± 1.49mm in the patients and 4.77 ± 1.76 mm in the controls. The mean mesio-distal width of PLR was 7.64 ± 1.49 mm in the patients and 3.17 ± 2.05 mm in the controls. The mean antero-posterior width of naso-lacrimal duct was 9.58 ± 2.80 mm in the patients and 9.46 ± 2.42 mm in the controls.

Conclusions: The width of the antero-posterior PLR in patients with Maxillary Sinus Hypoplasia was found to be significantly lower in comparison to individuals with normal maxillary sinuses in the measurements performed on paranasal Cone Beam Computed Tomography scans. Hence, while planning a Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery with prelacrimal recess approach for maxillary sinus, the anatomical structure of the naso-sinusoidal region should be carefully analyzed, and individual anatomical variations such as Maxillary Sinus Hypoplasia should not be ignored.