Assessing volume growth of paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity in children using three-dimensional imaging software

Objective

To investigate the accurate volume changes in the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity with age development, using three-dimensional (3D) imaging software

Methods

Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity volumes from computed tomography (CT) images in patients aged 0–24 years were measured using a 3D model to examine age-related changes. Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity growth were compared between age groups. Additionally, the correlation between body height and paranasal sinus growth was examined.

Results

A total of 139 CT scans from 137 patients were analyzed. Volume growth of maxillary, ethmoidal, sphenoid, frontal sinuses, and nasal cavity was observed until 18, 16, 20, 20, and 22 years, respectively. Maxillary sinus rapidly grew at 2–8 and 9–12 years, ethmoid sinus 2–8 and 13–16 years, sphenoid sinus 5–8 years, frontal sinus 2–10 years, and nasal cavity 7–12 years. The median volume after growth completion for maxillary, ethmoidal, sphenoid, frontal sinuses, and nasal cavities was 21,937 mm³, 4868 mm³, 5870 mm³, 3172 mm³, and 15,555 mm³, respectively. The left-right difference in the nasal cavity volume increased with age. Sinus and nasal cavity growth completion was delayed by 2–4 years compared to general height growth.

Conclusion

Growth of the ethmoid, maxillary, sphenoid, frontal sinus, and nasal cavity was completed in approximately 20 years. Compared to the results shown in reports based primarily on 2D measurements, the ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses and nasal cavity were found to continue to grow until older age than previously thought.