Use of Computed Tomography for Nasal and Paranasal Anatomic Variants

Abstract

Augmentations and improvements in sinus surgical methods and computed tomography (CT) have concurrently elaborated interest in variable anatomical features of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (PNS). Anatomical variations are normal morphological structures that are present in humans. The presence of these anatomical variations can affect nearby anatomical relations resulting in structural modifications. By the broad perspective of anatomical features in the sinonasal area, certain anatomical characteristics are supposed to be a risk factor for the advancement of sinus pathological conditions and hence it should be essential for the radiologist to be conscious of the variable anatomical structures residing within the nasal and PNS area, significantly if the treatment plan includes surgical procedures. The sinonasal tomographic imaging is required in symptomatic subjects of sinusitis to evaluate the mysterious sinonasal anatomy including morphology, variations, detailed bony visualization, and pathologies within the sinonasal region and surroundings. This review includes studies from 2013-2023 which were extracted from searching databases like Google Scholar, Internet sources, PubMed, Scopus, and Medline to establish a critical review of hidden anatomy of nasal and paranasal sinus region, detected by computed tomography and highlight the operative significance to enhance the surgical outcomes globally.