Objective: To investigate whether the presence of pediatric middle turbinate pneumatization causes narrowing of the ostiomeatal complex (OMC) and is associated with the development of paranasal sinusitis.
Methods: CT scans of 190 nasal sides of 95 children (1-15 years old) were analyzed for the presence of middle turbinate pneumatization and mucosal thickness in the paranasal sinus.
Results: Middle turbinate pneumatization was detected in nine (4.6%) of the nasal cavities. Only one of these sides was in a patient younger than 10 years of age, while the other eight sides were in patients at least 13 years old. In six of those nine sides with pneumatization, paranasal sinusitis was also found. However, the images showed that in five sides the middle turbinate pneumatization itself did not obstruct the OMC. In addition, the mean +/- standard deviation (S.D.) of the total score for the paranasal sinus opacification on the side which had the middle turbinate pneumatization was 5.67 +/- 2.95. The corresponding value for the 76 sides without pneumatization was 5.29 +/- 2.53, and the difference between these mean total scores was not statistically significant. However, in one side, the OMC was obstructed or narrowed due to the middle turbinate pneumatization, and an ethmoidal sinus pyocele formed on this side.
Conclusion: A causal relationship was not found between middle turbinate pneumatization and the mechanism of development of paranasal sinusitis in children. However, in the event that the OMU becomes obstructed at some time, frequent cycles of improvement and aggravation of pediatric paranasal sinusitis may occur and lead to the development of a serious condition.