Gender differences in ethmoid sinus morphology_ 3D reconstruction of computed tomographic images

Chi-Pin Hsu ^{1, 2}

Chih-Feng Lin ³

Chih-Chi Yang ⁴

Jeng-Ywan Jeng ^{1, 5}

Chang-Hung Huang ^{6, 7}

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Taiwan High Speed 3D Printing Research Center, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan |

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan |

Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan |

⁴

Department of Otolaryngology, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan |

⁵

Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan |

⁶

Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan |

⁷

School of Dentistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan |

Publication type: Journal Article

Publication date: 2024-06-10

Springer Nature

Journal: BMC Medical Imaging

scimago Q2

wos Q2

SJR: 0.701

CiteScore: 4.6

Impact factor: 2.9

ISSN: 14712342

DOI: 10.1186/s12880-024-01319-z

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Abstract

Background

The ethmoid sinus (ES) is a three-dimensional (3D) complex structure, a clear understanding of the ES anatomy is helpful to plan intranasal surgery. However, most prior studies use 2D measurements, which may not accurately depict the 3D structure. The current study measured the gender differences in ES morphology based on 3D reconstruction of computed tomography (CT) images.

Methods

The 3D models were reconstructed using CT images. Twenty-one males and 15 females were enrolled in the study. The ES dimensions, including width, height and aspect ratio (AR) of each cutting-plane section, were measured at 10% increments along with the anteroposterior axis of the ES. The gender differences in the above parameters were further evaluated by an independent t-test.

Results

The width of the ES for males is 12.0 ± 2.1 mm, which was significantly greater than that in females (10.0 ± 2.1 mm). The average height for males is 18.4 ± 3.5 mm, and 18.2 ± 3.4 mm for females. The AR of female (male) is around 0.56 (0.63) for the anterior ES and 0.66 (0.75) for the posterior. There are significant differences between genders in the parameters of width and AR (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study found that the aspect ratio greatly varies along the length of ES, indicating that the cross-section of the ES in the anterior is closer to an elliptical shape and turns closer to a circular shape near its posterior. There is a significant difference between genders in width and aspect ratio. The results would be helpful to know the complex anatomic details of the ethmoid sinus.