Evaluation of ostiomeatal complex pathology related to endoscopic sinus surgery – a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND. The ostiomeatal complex (OMC) is the anatomical region situated between the middle turbinate and the lateral nasal wall, at the level of the middle meatus. Common anatomical variations of OMC are concha bullosa, hypertrophy of the uncinate process and of the bulla ethmoidalis and Haller’s cell. Our study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of these conditions and their relations to different symptoms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study is a retrospective descriptive study based on 256 files of patients who were hospitalized and treated for OMC pathology in our clinic between January 2009 and January 2014. The data acquired were included into Excel Worksheets and statistically analyzed using GraphPad Software.

RESULTS. The most common finding was concha bullosa (63.67%), followed by hypertrophy of the bulla ethmoidalis (10.93%) and of the uncinate process (10.15%). Haller’s cell was found in only 3% of cases. The most common symptom for all patients was nasal obstruction, followed by nasal discharge. The majority of symptoms improved after functional endoscopic sinus surgery for OMC drainage.

CONCLUSION. OMC pathology is a frequent indication for functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The most common condition that determines blockage of OMC and need for surgical treatment is concha bullosa. The most common complaint of patients with OMC pathology is nasal obstruction.