Inflammatory Modifications in Paranasal Sinuses and Ostiomeatal Complex Anatomical Variations in Jet Aircraft Pilots: A Computed Tomography Study (2024)

  • Journal List
  • Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol
  • v.28(2); 2024 Apr
  • PMC11008945

As a library, NLM provides access to scientific literature. Inclusion in an NLM database does not imply endorsem*nt of, or agreement with, the contents by NLM or the National Institutes of Health.
Learn more: PMC Disclaimer | PMC Copyright Notice

Inflammatory Modifications in Paranasal Sinuses and Ostiomeatal Complex Anatomical Variations in Jet Aircraft Pilots: A Computed Tomography Study (1)

Link to Publisher's site

Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2024 Apr; 28(2): e203–e210.

Published online 2023 Nov 29. doi:10.1055/s-0043-1773761

PMCID: PMC11008945

PMID: 38618599

Yeda da Silva,1,5 Luciana Munhoz,2,3 José Rodrigues Parga Filho,1 Andreza Gomes Damasceno,3 Cesar Felipe França da Rosa,4 Eduardo Bilaqui Zukovski,4 Erik Zhu Teng,4 Emiko Saito Arita,2 and Cláudio Campi de Castro1

Author information Article notes Copyright and License information PMC Disclaimer

Abstract

Introduction Jet aircraft pilots are exposed to huge pressure variation during flight, which affect physiological functions as systems, such as the respiratory system.

Objectives The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate inflammatory changes of paranasal sinuses of jet aircraft pilots before and after a jet aircraft training program, using multislice computed tomography (CT), in comparison with a group of nonairborne individuals with the same age, sex, and physical health conditions. A second objective of the present study was to assess the association between the ostiomeatal complex obstruction and its anatomical variations.

Methods The study group consisted of 15 jet aircraft pilots participating in the training program. The control group consisted of 41 nonairborne young adults. The 15 fighter pilots were evaluated before initiating the training program and after their final approval for the presence of inflammatory paranasal sinus disease. The ostiomeatal complex anatomical variations and obstructions were analyzed in pilots after the training program.

Results Jet aircraft pilots presented higher incidence of mucosal thickening in maxillary sinus and anterior ethmoid cells than controls. Prominent ethmoidal bulla showed significant association with obstruction of the osteomeatal complex.

Conclusions Jet aircraft pilots present increased inflammatory disease when compared with nonairborne individuals. The presence of a prominent ethmoidal bulla is associated with ostiomeatal complex obstruction.

Keywords: multidetector computed tomography, diagnostic imaging, maxillary sinus, aerospace medicine, aviation

Introduction

The paranasal sinuses are complex structures comprising a group of connected bone cavities designed as the maxillary sinuses, the frontal sinus, the sphenoid sinuses, and ethmoid cells.1They have multiple functions for the respiratory system, such as to humidify the nasal cavity, thermal insulation, and moistening of the inspired air.2Additionally, they act absorbing the impacts to cranial structures as well as reducing the weight of the skull.2

Inflammatory and infectious diseases are relatively frequent in the worldwide population3and exhibit a wide range of symptoms and imaging features, from asymptomatic cases with incidental imaging findings4to spread infection in adjacent structures into the face and head, with life-threatening complications.3

It has been documented that some populations have higher risk to the development of inflammatory sinus disease, such as patients with cystic fibrosis,5acute optical neuritis,6inflammatory bowel disease,7coal workers,8or the presence of maxillary teeth roots within the maxillary sinus.9

Previously, it was reported that jet aircraft pilots have volume alterations in maxillary sinus, due to the exposition of diverse occupational hazards, such as high altitude and sudden movements, and multiple repetitive exposition to high gravitational force (Gz) changes.10However, the evaluation of paranasal sinuses for detecting inflammatory disease has not been studied in jet aircraft pilots.

Besides the volume alteration in maxillary sinuses, preceding observations on facial modifications in jet aircraft pilots throughout their careers have been observed by the Brazilian Air Force physician and imaging radiologist, who is also the first author of this study and has been working at the Brazilian Air Force for 13 years. The physician noticed the ostiomeatal complex may be also affected.

The ostiomeatal complex is an area lateral to the middle turbinate in which the frontal and maxillary sinuses drain, as well as the anterior and medium ethmoid cells. It is constituted by the ethmoidal infundibulum, the uncinated process, the ethmoid bulla, the semilunar hiatus, and the middle meatus.11

Thus, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate inflammatory changes of paranasal sinuses of jet aircraft pilots before and after a jet aircraft training program, using multislice computed tomography (CT), in comparison with a group of nonairborne individuals with the same age, sex, and physical health conditions. The second aim of the present study was to assess the association between the ostiomeatal complex obstruction and its anatomical variations.

Methods

The present prospective study was conducted between March (initial CT examination) and November (final CT examination), 2015. Sample size was determined according to the number of fighter pilots of the Natal Air Base selected to the jet aircraft training program in the same year. The approval of the ethics committee was obtained in the Medicine School Faculty, in the session of 08/26/2015 (No. 351/15). The guidelines of Helsinki were followed. All participants signed the written informed consent form previously established by the Ethics Committee.

Characteristics of the Aircraft. Pilots and Control Group

The jet aircraft used in the training is the A-29 (the Super Tucano version for the Brazilian Air Force), which is a single-engine, stepped-tandem, multi-purpose military turboprop aircraft.

The study population consisted of 18 pilots of the A-29 Super Tucano fighter of the Joker squadron 2nd/5th, aged 23 to 27 years old, in the city of Natal, state of Rio Grande do Norte, with no associated comorbidities. The training program period is 8 months.

The control group consisted of young adults, with the same age as the pilots (20 to 30 years old), male, healthy, without previous comorbidities.

The study and follow-up of the paranasal sinuses tomography was performed in the city of Curitiba, state of Paraná, Brazil. Considering the control group, initially, the study had a total of 60 volunteer participants who accepted to participate in the project. It was explained that all participants would have to repeat tomography of the paranasal sinuses in a period of 8 months in the city of Curitiba. In this follow-up of 8 months, there were 15 withdrawals and the exclusion of 3 participants who underwent upper molar tooth removal surgery, with a total of 41 people in the control group at the end of the study.

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

As an inclusion criterion, only healthy candidates were admitted, and they were previously tested for satisfactory general health, which also considered absence of smoking and drinking habits. Moreover, teeth removal before or during the training program and sinonasal surgery, such as maxillary sinus graft or surgery intervention for any inflammatory disease history were considered as exclusion criteria.

Acute airway infection, episodes of headache, and barotrauma during training program were also collected.

Imaging Parameters, Acquisition, Evaluation and Data Collection

The CT scans were performed on the Toshiba Aquilion (Toshiba Activion, Medical Systems Corporation, Japan) 16-channel multislice CT equipment. The slice thickness was 3 mm, with 4 mm interval, field of view (FOV) of 180 mm, 120 kV, 150 mA, slice time of 1 second, soft tissue and bone filter, window with 2000 HU level and opening of 200 HU. This same protocol was always applied for all imaging exams.

The fighter pilots and the control group had images collected at 2 different times: before training and after the 8-month training period. The tomographic examinations of the pilots were performed after a period of at least 10 hours after the flight practice. Subsequently, the examinations were analyzed by two experienced radiologists.

The presence of inflammatory tomographic changes observed in the all the paranasal sinuses were then classified into 2 categories, according to the typical cases observed in the sample, based on the previously described literature2: (1) Thickening of the sinus mucosa (> 2 mm) (Fig. 1A and B); (2) antral polyps and pseudocysts (mucous retention cysts) (Fig. 1C and​1D.1D. respectively); and (3) opacification (Fig. 1D).

Open in a separate window

Fig. 1

(A) Mucosal thickening: Axial CT section (bone window) showing mucous thickening of the right maxillary sinus and deviation of the nasal septum to the right; (B) Mucosal thickening: Axial CT section (bone window) showing mucosal thickening of the left sphenoid and anterior and posterior ethmoidal cells (arrows); note the septum deviation on A and B. (C) Pseudocyst of mucous retention in the left maxillary sinus seen on CT (bone window) in the coronal plane (arrow). (D) Axial section on CT (bone window). In the right side a measurement of polyp (1). In the left side, total opacification (2).

For the jet aircraft pilots only, considering the ostiomeatal complex, initially, the presence of its obstruction was recorded (Fig. 2A), then variants were assessed and associated with obstruction of the osteomeatal complex, after the training program. The variations were classified as: (1) Agger nasi cells (Fig. 2B); (2) Haller cells (Fig. 2B); (3) septum deviation; (4) prominent ethmoidal bulla (Fig. 3A); (5) bullous nasal turbinate or bullous shell (Fig. 3B); (6) paradoxical middle turbinate (Fig. 4A); and (7) changes in the uncinate process, such as hypertrophy, medial deviation, and horizontalization (Fig. 4B).

Open in a separate window

Fig. 2

(A) Coronal section on CT (bone window) showing obstruction of the right ostiomeatal complex (arrow). (B) Coronal slice (bone window) showing Agger nasi cell on the left (arrow)t; (C) Coronal section (bone window) showing Haller cell on the right, promoting narrowing of the ostiomeatal complex (arrow).

Open in a separate window

Fig. 3

(A) Prominent ethmoidal bulla on the left (bone window) in the orthogonal sagittal, axial, and coronal planes (arrows). (B) Bullous nasal turbinate on the right (tip of the white arrow) shown on CT (bone window).

Open in a separate window

Fig. 4

(A) Coronal section (bone window) showing medial deviation of the uncinate process on the right; (B): Coronal section (bone window) showing polyp/pseudocyst of mucous retention in the left maxillary sinus and paradoxical curvature of the middle turbinate on the left (white arrow).

The computed tomography images were evaluated by two observers at the workstation using the OsiriX DICOM Viewer software (PIXMEO SARL, Geneva, Switzerland), and the tomographic findings were confirmed in the axial, sagittal, and coronal planes.

Statistical Assessment

The results of quantitative variables were demonstrated by medians, minimum and maximum values. Qualitative variables were described as absolute numbers. Data regarding the health and working conditions of the pilots was also characterized.

The Wilcoxson and the Mann-Whitney nonparametric tests were applied to verify differences between groups. The Fisher exact test was applied to assess associations between variables.

The data were assessed using Stata/SE v.14.1 (StataCorpLP, College Station. TX, USA), and statistical significance was considered whenp < 0.05.

Results

Descriptive Statistics Regarding the Jet Aircraft Pilots Working and Health Conditions

Cabin mean altitude of 6,577 feet (±880); the flight mean altitude was 8,142 feet (±892); and the total flight hours was 93 hours (±15). Two pilots reported headache (13.3%); 4 reported airway infection (26.7%); and there were 2 cases of barotrauma (13.3%).

Mucosal Thickening and Presence of Polyps/Pseudocysts in Comparison with Control Group

Jet aircraft pilots presenting an increase in the mucosal thickening in maxillary sinuses and anterior ethmoidal cells were observed in the group of pilots after the training program (p = 0.01 for the right maxillary sinus;p = 0.03 for the left maxillary sinus; andp = 0.04 for the anterior ethmoidal cells). When the pilots were compared with the control group, mucosal thickening was increased in the maxillary sinuses of pilots (p = 0.05 for right maxillary sinus; p ≤ 0.00 for left maxillary sinus). No statistically significant differences were noticed for the presence of polyps and pseudocysts. Detailed information is available onTable 1.

Table 1

Analysis of mucosal thickening and polyp/pseudocyst of mucosal retention of the paranasal sinuses (initial x final) in the pilot group and in the control group

VariableSideEvaluationGroupp-value** (pilots x control)
Pilots (n = 15)Control (n = 41)
Maxillary sinus mucous thickeningRightInitial0 (0–8)0 (0–15)0.050
Final6 (0–12)2.1 (0–21)
p*(initial x final)0.0180.295
Leftinitial0 (0–13)0 (0–11)<0.001
final10 (0–26)0.5 (0–11)
p*(initial x final)0.0030.191
Frontal sinus mucous thickeningRightinitial0 (0–0)0 (0–7.6)0.215
final0 (0–0)0 (0–7.8)
p*(initial x final)-0.176
Leftinitial0 (0–0)0 (0–12)0.616
final0 (0–4)0 (0–12)
p*(initial x final)0.3170.128
Sphenoid sinus mucous thickeningRightinitial0 (0–4.7)0 (0–7.7)0.205
final0 (0–7.1)0 (0–5.7)
p*(initial x final)0.1090.889
Leftinitial0 (0–0)0 (0–12)0.400
final0 (0–0)0 (0–12)
p*(initial x final)-0.138
Mucous thickening of ethmoidal cellsAnteriorinitial0 (0–7)0 (0–6.2)0.139
final0 (0–7)0 (0–7.2)
p*(initial x final)0.0420.460
Posteriorinitial0 (0–0)0 (0–8)0.657
final0 (0–2.6)0 (0–7.5)
p*(initial x final)0.1800.583
initial0 (0–7.9)0 (0–27)
Polyp/pseudocyst maxillary sinus mucous retentionRightfinal0 (0–14.9)0 (0–21)0.359
p*(initial x final)0.2850.700
initial0 (0–21.5)0 (0–18)
Leftfinal0 (0–18)0 (0–23)0.814
p*(initial x final)0.7150.116
initial0 (0–0)0 (0–7)
Polyp/pseudocyst frontal sinus mucous retentionLeftfinal0 (0–0)0 (0–7)0.545
p*(initial x final)-0.317
initial0 (0–0)0 (0–6.3)
Polyp/pseudocyst sphenoid sinus mucous retentionRightfinal0 (0–0)0 (0–6.7)0.898
p*(initial x final)--

Open in a separate window

Legend: * according to Wilcoxon test; ** According to Mann-Whitney test. Significant ifp < 0.05.

Ostiomeatal Complex Obstruction and Anatomical Variations in Jet Aircraft Pilots after the Training Program

The main anatomical variants of the ostiomeatal complex were: Agger Nasi cells, bullous middle concha, paradoxical curvature, deviation of the nasal septum, Haller cells, and changes in the uncinate process. The results showed that among the main anatomical variables, septal deviation was verified mostly with obstructions of the ostiomeatal complex; however, without statistically significant results, as described onTable 2.

Table 2

Association of ostiomeatal obstruction and variations in jet aircraft pilots after training program, right and left sides

VariablesRight ostiomeatal complex obstructionp-value*
NoYes
Final Septal DeviationRight SideNo2540.50
Yes216
Left SideNo2530.46
Yes215
Paradoxical curvature of the middle turbinateRight SideNo3881.00
Yes82
Left SideNo4781.00
Yes10
Bullous medium turbinateRight SideNo3560.43
Yes114
Left SideNo4140.04
Yes74
Haller cellRight SideNo4580.08
Yes12
Left SideNo4770.27
Yes11
Prominent ethmoidal bullaRight SideNo4080.62
Yes62
Left SideNo4350.08
Yes53
Changes to the uncinated processRight SideNo39100.33
Yes70
Left SideNo4470.55
Yes41
Agger nasi cellRight SideNo2561.00
Yes214
Left SideNo3350.70
Yes153

Open in a separate window

*according to Fisher's exact test. significant ifp < 0.05.

A statistically significant association between prominent ethmoidal bulla and obstruction of the ostiomeatal complex was observed both for the left and right sides (p = 0.08 andp = 0.08).

Discussion

In the present study, it was observed that there was a higher prevalence of mucosal thickening in the maxillary sinuses, followed by the anterior ethmoidal cells, after the training program in jet aircraft pilots when compared with the beginning of the program. Furthermore, when compared with the control group, pilots have more inflammatory alterations in the maxillary sinus and anterior ethmoidal cells.

Although no direct comparisons with similar studies can be performed, as this is the first investigation considering this particular sample, it was observed previously a predisposition for sinus disease in pilots with allergic rhinitis when compared with a control group; and the incidence of acute sinus disease is slightly higher in transport pilots when compared with helicopter pilots.12

Additionally, helicopter pilots were also pointed to present a higher incidence of chronic sinusitis and pseudocysts without symptoms when compared with fighter pilots13; which is slightly dissimilar from the present results, as only mucosal thickening was detected and polyps/pseudocysts did not demonstrate differences between pilots and the control group.

Possible causes for the increased incidence of inflammatory changes in pilots may be changes in cabin pressure and flight altitude,1213leading to physiological changes during the flight, which seems to be a reasonable hypothesis for jet aircraft pilots as well. Moreover, reduced humidity by the flight mask may influence the results.

Regarding the anatomical variants in the ostiomeatal complex, although no statistical significance was noticed, when compared with the control group, variations were more evidenced in the jet aircraft pilots group than in the control group. The importance of the study of these anatomical variants in pilots, as well as the obstruction of ostiomeatal complex, lies in the increased inflammatory disease detected in jet aircraft pilots by their physician. It was hypothesized that the inflammatory disease in pilots could have a close influential relationship with the ostiomeatal obstruction and its variations, which could not be proven by the present research, except for the prominent (larger than usual) ethmoidal bulla.

The ethmoid bulla is the largest cell in the anterior portion of the ethmoid sinus, and eventually also denominated as “bulla bullosa”14. A larger ethmoidal bulla can push the middle turbinate medially, which may contact the nasal septum and osteomeatal complex obstruction, increasing the susceptibility of sinusitis development.15

Nasal septum deviation, which was a common finding in jet aircraft pilots, is defined as the divergence between the head medium sagittal plane and the septum orientation,16and its prevalence in the literature ranges from 40 to 96.9% due to different criteria for the degree and morphological characteristics of septal deviation.17

Paradoxical curvature of the medium concha has an occurrence of 7.918to 25%17; small medium paradoxical curvatures, which are generally bilateral, do not influence in the drainage pathways, while larger curvatures may lead to obstruction.16

The prevalence of Haller cells or infraorbital cells is described as ethmoidal cells located nearby the orbital cavity floor, which is usually associated with the maxillary sinus roof and may influence in the mucous drainage of the maxillary sinus, leading to a predisposition to rhinosinusitis.1617The Agger nasi cells are also derived from the ethmoidal cells, with an anterior positioning.16

There is no specific investigation in the literature comparing variations in the ostiomeatal complex with obstruction of this complex, although higher opacification of the ostiomeatal complex, indicating inflammatory modifications detected by CT has already been reported when anatomical variations were present in the ostiomeatal complex .19

The limitations of the present study were the reduced number of aspiring jet aircraft pilots in the Brazilian Air Force who join the training every year and the restricted period (8 months) of follow-up. In addition to all these limiting aspects, another difficulty was the evidence of scarcity in the literature with approaches to physiological modifications in jet aircraft pilots and similar articles for direct comparisons. Finally, future studies are needed to better understand and establish a correlation between the findings of increased inflammatory changes in the paranasal sinuses and flight variables.

Conclusions

In conclusion, jet aircraft pilots present increased inflammatory disease when compared with nonairborne individuals. The presence of a prominent ethmoidal bulla is associated with ostiomeatal complex obstruction.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Cel. Aviator Rômulo Coutinho Lucas for the technical support provided for this manuscript.

Funding Statement

FundingNo funding was received for the present research.

Conflict of Interests The authors have no conflict of interests to declare.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Silva Y. performed the first draft of the manuscript, project development, data collection and manuscript writing; Munhoz L. performed the data analysis, manuscript writing and editing; Teng E. performed the first draft of the manuscript, manuscript writing and editing, data analysis; Billaqui E., performed the first draft of the manuscript, manuscript writing and editing, data analysis; Rosa C. performed the first draft of the manuscript, manuscript writing and editing, data analysis; Arita E. performed the project development, data analysis, final review of the manuscript; Castro C, performed the project development and protocol development. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethical Approval

Approval was obtained at Ethics Committee of São Paulo University Medical School - São Paulo (number 315/15).

Informed Consent

All patients signed and approved the appropriate informed consent for the present study.

Financial and Non-financial Interests

Authors declare no financial and non-financial interests.

References

1. Lee S, Fernandez J, Mirjalili S A, Kirkpatrick J. Pediatric paranasal sinuses-Development, growth, pathology, & functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Clin Anat. 2022;35(06):745–761. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

2. Munhoz L, Abdala Júnior R, Arita E S. The value of the apparent diffusion coefficient calculated from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans in the differentiation of maxillary sinus inflammatory diseases. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2019;127(05):433–443. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

3. Craig P G, Zhan X, Aly N, Policeni B. Nontraumatic emergencies of inflammatory paranasal sinus disease. Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 2019;40(02):125–138. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

4. Yousefi F, Mollabashi M, Shokri A, Tavakoli E, Farhadian M, Tavakoli A. Magnetic resonance imaging study of incidental findings in the paranasal sinuses and ostiomeatal complex. Imaging Sci Dent. 2022;52(01):11–18. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

5. Eggesbø H B, Søvik S, Dølvik S, Kolmannskog F. CT characterization of inflammatory paranasal sinus disease in cystic fibrosis. Acta Radiol. 2002;43(01):21–28. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

6. Ergene E, Rupp F W, Jr, Qualls C R, Ford C C. Acute optic neuritis: association with paranasal sinus inflammatory changes on magnetic resonance imaging. J Neuroimaging. 2000;10(04):209–215. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

7. Book D T, Smith T L, McNamar J P, Saeian K, Binion D G, Toohill R J. Chronic sinonasal disease in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Rhinol. 2003;17(02):87–90. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

8. Ozdemir H, Altin R, Mahmutyazicioğlu K et al. Evaluation of paranasal sinus mucosa in coal worker's pneumoconiosis: a computed tomographic study. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004;130(09):1052–1055. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

9. Roque-Torres G D, Ramirez-Sotelo L R, Vaz S L, Bóscolo S M, Bóscolo F N. Association between maxillary sinus pathologies and healthy teeth. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol (Engl Ed) 2016;82(01):33–38. [Google Scholar]

10. Silva Y, Munhoz L, Parga Filho J Ret al. Maxillary sinus volumetric changes in jet aircraft pilots: a multislice computed tomography pilot studyImaging Sci Dent2022

11. Mafee M F. Preoperative imaging anatomy of nasal-ethmoid complex for functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Radiol Clin North Am. 1993;31(01):1–20. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

12. Ulanovski D, Barenboim E, Raveh E, Grossman A, Azaria B, Shpitzer T. Sinusitis in pilots of different aircraft types: is allergic rhinitis a predisposing factor? Am J Rhinol. 2008;22(02):122–124. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

13. Xu X, Ma X, Zhang Y, Xiong W. [Comparative analysis on data of nasal sinus between helicopter and(strike) fighter pilots under physical examination for change to new-type aircraft] Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2012;26(02):62–64. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

14. Kim B J, Kim J S. A case of large ethmoid bulla causing chronic rhinosinusitis: ‘Bulla bullosa’ Ear Nose Throat J. 2022;•••:1.455613221106223E15. [Google Scholar]

15. Yousem D M. Imaging of sinonasal inflammatory disease. Radiology. 1993;188(02):303–314. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

16. Miranda CMNR de MCdM Arraes FMNR, Padilha IG, Farias LPG de, Jatobá MSA. Anatomical variations of paranasal sinuses at multislice computed tomography: what to look forRadiol Bras 2011;44(04):

17. Earwaker J. Anatomic variants in sinonasal CT. Radiographics. 1993;13(02):381–415. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

18. Bolger W E, Butzin C A, Parsons D S.Paranasal sinus bony anatomic variations and mucosal abnormalities: CT analysis for endoscopic sinus surgery Laryngoscope 1991101(1 Pt 1):56–64. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

19. Araújo Neto S AMP, Souza A S, Baracat E CE, Nanni L.O Papel das variantes anatômicas do complexo stiomeatal na rinossinusite crônicaRadiol Bras 2006;39(03):

Articles from International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology are provided here courtesy of Thieme Medical Publishers

Inflammatory Modifications in Paranasal Sinuses and Ostiomeatal Complex Anatomical Variations in Jet Aircraft Pilots: A Computed Tomography Study (2024)

FAQs

What are paranasal sinus inflammatory changes? ›

Paranasal sinus disease is characterized by decreased aeration, mucosal thickening, soft tissue masses (e.g., mucus retention cyst, polyp, mucocele, tumor), air-fluid levels, and demineralization or bone destruction.

What is an infection and inflammation of the paranasal air sinuses? ›

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the tissues in your sinuses (spaces in your forehead, cheeks and nose usually filled with air). It causes facial pain, a stuffy or runny nose, and sometimes a fever and other symptoms.

What is an inflammation of the mucosal thickening of the paranasal sinuses? ›

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucosal lining of the paranasal sinuses. As the mucosa of the sinuses is continuous with that of the nose, rhinosinusitis is a more suitable term. Sinusitis can be subdivided into acute, subacute, chronic, and recurrent disease.

Can sinus inflammation be serious? ›

It's not common. But a serious sinus infection can spread to the membranes and fluid around the brain and spinal cord. The infection is called meningitis. Other serious infections can spread to the bones, called osteomyelitis, or to skin, called cellulitis.

How serious is paranasal sinus disease? ›

In patients with paranasal sinus disease, orbital extension with proptosis, ocular palsies, visual deterioration, and chemosis may occur. The symptoms frequently encountered are headache, vomiting, convulsions, hemiparesis, fever, cranial nerve deficits, paralysis, and sensory impairment to varying degrees.

Can paranasal sinus disease cause headaches? ›

When the sinuses become irritated and inflamed – due to an allergic reaction or a sinus infection – they swell, create extra mucus, and the channels that normally drain them become blocked. This build-up of pressure leads to the unpleasant sensation of having a sinus headache.

Is mucosal thickening serious? ›

We conclude that mucosal thickening of up to 3 mm is common and lacks clinical significance in asymptomatic patients.

Can MRI show sinus infection? ›

Note: MRI is not as effective as CT in defining the anatomy of the sinuses, and therefore is not typically used for suspected acute sinusitis.

Does a CT scan show sinus infection? ›

CT, or computed tomography, a minimally invasive and accurate form of medical imaging, can provide a reliable tool to help diagnose sinusitis, leading to better sinusitis treatment. In addition to diagnosing sinusitis, CT scans can identify sinus cysts or nasal polyps that may cause other health issues.

What does it mean if your sinuses are inflamed? ›

Definition. Sinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an inflammatory reaction or an infection from a virus, bacteria, or fungus.

Does sinus inflammation ever go away? ›

Yes, it can, depending on the cause. For example, if nasal polyps cause chronic sinusitis, removing the polyps could cure the condition.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 6354

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.