CBCT Imaging of Paranasal Sinuses and Variations

Paranasal sinuses located in the bones surrounding the nasal cavity are called maxillary, ethmoid, frontal and sphenoid sinuses. In relation with their location, these sinuses contribute to the development of the facial structures, jaws and upper airway. During the developmental process of the paranasal sinuses, anatomic variations can occur in consequence of intra and extramural migration of the ethmoid air cells, overpneumatization or hypoplasia of the sinuses and bulging of the neurovascular structures to the sinuses. Some of these anatomic variations may affect the drainage pathways, pave the way for chronic infections and cause difficulties when performing paranasal sinuses surgery. Therefore, the aim of this chapter was to examine the paranasal sinus anatomic variations with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)