Association between the insertion type of the uncinate process and the development of Frontal Sinus Mucoceles - is there a relationship?

BACKGROUND

The frontal sinus drainage pathway is formed by either the ethmoid infundibulum or the middle meatus, which depends on the superior insertion of the uncinate process. According to Landsberg & Friedman the are 6 types of superior uncinate process insertion. The aim of this study is to find an association between the uncinate process insertion type and the development of frontal sinus mucoceles.

METHODS

Fifty sinus CT scans were analysed. Exclusion criteria were previous nasal surgeries, malignancy, polyposis and an insufficient image quality. Superior insertions of the uncinate process were analysed according to the Landsberg & Friedman classification. The results were tabulated and analysed using SPSS 25.0.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed type 1 insertion in 6% of the CT scans, type 2 in 32%, type 3 in 26%, type 4 in 0%, type 5 in 28% and type 6 in 8%. Despite 44% of the CT scans with frontal sinus mucocele showing a type 2 insertion of the uncinate process, both the Chi-Square test and the Cramer's V test showed no statistical significance (p>.05). Logistic regression also showed that uncinate process insertion type does not influence the likelihood of development of frontal sinuses mucoceles.

CONCLUSIONS

The insertion of the uncinate process does not influence the development of frontal sinus mucoceles.