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An Observational Study of Anatomical Variants in Patients Presenting with Sinonasal Headache as Seen on Computed Tomography


Authors : Dr. Shatakshi Dubey; Dr. Navin Agrawal; Dr. Sanjay Kumar Gupta; Dr. Sanuj; Dr. Samiksha Sharma; Dr. Anand Sharma

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 6 - June


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yhkun6eh

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/ffr9b5dk

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jun1519

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Background: Headaches are a very common condition worldwide. The sinonasal region demonstrates considerable anatomical variability which can potentially predispose patients to obstruction of the osteomeatal complex, impaired sinus drainage, recurrent rhinosinusitis, and technical challenges during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). CT scan provides a high-resolution imaging of nose and paranasal sinus anatomy. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anatomical variations as seen on CT scan in such patients.  Method: An observational hospital-based study was conducted over 18 months at a tertiary care centre involving 52 patients.  Result: Deviated nasal septum (especially s-shaped), septal spurs and concha bullosa were found to be the most prevalent anatomical variants in sinonasal anatomy in patients with headache.  Conclusion: Computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses proved essential for identifying structural issues like a deviated nasal septum or concha bullosa that caused narrowing of the osteomeatal complex and secondary headaches. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) corrected these obstructions, restoring proper ventilation and relieving symptoms.

Keywords : Sinonasal Headache, CT Scan, DNS, Concha Bullosa.

References :

  1. Olesen J. International Classification of Headache Disorders [Internet]. 3rd ed. International Headache Society; 2018 [cited 2026 Jun 22]. Available from: ichd-3.org
  2. Hammad MS, Gomaa MA. Role of some anatomical nasal abnormalities in rhinogenic headache. Egyptian Journal of ENT and Allied Sciences. 2012;13(1):31-35.
  3. Stammberger H. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: The Messerklinger Technique. Philadelphia: B.C. Decker; 1991.
  4. Nitinavakarat B, Udununna S, Rejee E. Anatomical variations of nose and paranasal sinuses in computed tomography scan [Internet]. International Journal of Medical and Public Health. 2025 [cited 2026 Jun 22];15(3):1777-1781. Available from: https://www.ijmedph.org/.
  5. Rudmik L, Soler ZM, Mace JC, Schlosser RJ, Smith TL. Economic evaluation of functional endoscopic sinus surgery versus continued medical management for chronic rhinosinusitis. The Laryngoscope. 2015;125(1):25-32.
  6. Earwaker J. Anatomic variants in sinonasal CT. RadioGraphics. 1993;13(2):381-415.
  7. Hoang JK, Eastwood JD, Tebbit CL, Glastonbury CM. Multiplanar sinus CT: normal anatomy, variants, and imaging pitfalls. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2010;195(4):W277-W284.
  8. Subbiah K, Ramasamy S. Clinical and radiological significance of anatomical variations in paranasal sinuses: a retrospective CT-based study [Internet]. Cureus. 2025 Apr [cited 2026 Jun 22];17(4):e82506. Available from: https://www.cureus.com/.
  9. Shrestha S, Khanal S, KC S. Critical anatomical variants in preoperative computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses at a tertiary care center [Internet]. Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 2025 Mar [cited 2026 Jun 22];87(3):PMC11981334. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.

Background: Headaches are a very common condition worldwide. The sinonasal region demonstrates considerable anatomical variability which can potentially predispose patients to obstruction of the osteomeatal complex, impaired sinus drainage, recurrent rhinosinusitis, and technical challenges during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). CT scan provides a high-resolution imaging of nose and paranasal sinus anatomy. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anatomical variations as seen on CT scan in such patients.  Method: An observational hospital-based study was conducted over 18 months at a tertiary care centre involving 52 patients.  Result: Deviated nasal septum (especially s-shaped), septal spurs and concha bullosa were found to be the most prevalent anatomical variants in sinonasal anatomy in patients with headache.  Conclusion: Computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses proved essential for identifying structural issues like a deviated nasal septum or concha bullosa that caused narrowing of the osteomeatal complex and secondary headaches. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) corrected these obstructions, restoring proper ventilation and relieving symptoms.

Keywords : Sinonasal Headache, CT Scan, DNS, Concha Bullosa.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - July - 2026

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