Anatomical variations of superior turbinate in relation to adjacent ethmoidal structures using computer tomography scans: Applications to endoscopic sinus surgery

Objective: The aim of our study is to determine the morphological features and the variations of the concha nasalis superior (CNS) and surrounding structures such as concha nasalis media (CNM), fossa olfactoria (FO), sinus sphenoidalis (SS) and to reveal the clinical importance of all data and to examine them in terms of endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods: In this study, we retrospectively analyze computed tomography (CT) images of 153 patients (76 males, 77 females) aged 18-80 years. We performed morphometric measurements of CNS and surrounding structures on CT images in axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. In addition, we measured concha bullosa superior (CBS) and sphenoidal sinus (SS) volume measurements with 3D-SLICER software. Results: We found the CBSU measurement value on the left was found to be significantly higher in females than males. CNSU measurement value was found to be significantly higher on the right side than on the left. Left SSPH measurement value was found to be significantly higher in the 1st age group compared to the other two age groups. Left CBSU parameter was found to be significantly higher in 1A2B type of FOP. Left SSPH parameter was found to be significantly lower in 1A2B type of FOP. Right SSPH parameter was found to be significantly higher in Bullous type of CBM. A statistically significant relationship was found between CBS pneumatization type and CNSU, CBSU, CBSG, CBSH, SSPH values. Conclusion: A strong positive correlation was detected between SS pneumatization and FO pneumatization, septum nasi pneumatization (SNP), and concha bullosa superior (CBS). We think that the data presented by our current study will be helpful for radiologists and surgeons in diagnosis and treatment, especially in endoscopic procedures. Keywords: Computer tomography, Fossa olfactoria, Pneumatization, Sphenoid sinus, Superior nasal concha.