Abstract
Objectives: The authors suggest a systematization of osteo-meatal drainage based on nonselected consecutive observations of sinus CT scans. The maxillary drainage is classically described as a mucociliar activity converged to the maxillary ostium (natural ostium), nevertheless there might be accessory ostiuns.
Methods: The authors observed 50 consecutive sinus CT scans (high spatial resolution 2.5 mm coronal plans). We also used virtual endoscopy and compared the findings with microscopic and endoscopic observation of anatomic human specimen in cadavers.
Results: The maxillary drainage area is usually observed in 3 continuous plans: Segment 1, anterior or ethmoidomaxillary channel (consists of a long channel that communicates maxillary sinus with the anterior ethmoidal complex). Segment 2: Medium or labial (consists of the horizontal portion of uncinate process that acts like a vertical wall separating infundibular lumen from middle meatus). Segment 3: Posterior or direct meatal (corresponds to the most posterior and horizontal portion of uncinate process, communicating directly to the middle meatus). This is the most inconstant of the 3 segments. The results are equally comparable to those achieved in anatomic human specimen in cadavers.
Conclusion: Based on facts achieved by virtual endoscopy we conclude that maxillary drainage is done through a cleft or multiple, continuous ostiuns. This clinical systematization has implications in a clinical and surgical perspective, permits to explain why in cases of massive ethmoidal inflammatory disease, maxillary sinus remains intact since one of the drainage segments is not blocked. Otherwise, if those segments are blocked there is maxillary disease.
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