An endoscopic cadaveric study: Accessory maxillary ostia

• Main Authors: Alper Sindel, Murat Turhan, Eren Ogut, Mehmet Akdag, Aslı Bostancı, Muzaffer Sindel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dicle University Medical School 2014-06-01
• Series: Dicle Medical Journal
• Subjects: Accessory maxillary ostia; endoscopic study
• Online Access: http://www.diclemedj.org/upload/sayi/32/Dicle%20Med%20J-01928.pdf

Objective: Endoscopy is now being used for diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Direct observations of mucociliary clearance patterns have shown that there are clear cut pathways in the sinuses, with secretions always trying to leave through the natural ostia.' Maxillar ostia is exists behind the upper part of the medial wall and often at intersection region of the rear lower infindubulum and lower front surface of the ethmoid bulla. Accessory ostium exists at the 25-30% of the general population instead of the natural ostium. There are some features that differentiate the accessory ostium and natural ostium. Methods: To determine the incidence and location of the accessory ostium 29 fromaldehyde fixed adult cadaver was examined with endoscope. Results: The accessory ostium is encountered at 8 cases (13.8%). These are located at rare-middle, front-middle and rear in 2 (0.03%), 3 (0.05%), 3 (0.05%) cases respectively. Recognition of the maxillary ostia is tedious while performing endoscopic procedures which accounts for a high rate of orbital complications for a novice performing surgery in this region. Conclusion: It is therefore imperative to know the landmarks in this regions which may be obliterated by disease. Radiologist should be aware of this entity as it can appear as communication between the maxillary sinus and nasal cavity on sinus imaging examinations.