Diseases of the nose

What is hypoplasia of the frontal sinus

The frontal paranasal sinuses are second in size after the maxillary. In another way, they are also called frontal. They are concentrated in the thickness of the frontal bone in the area just above the bridge of the nose. We are talking about a paired anatomical formation, which is divided into two parts by a special partition.

When and how frontal sinuses form

Few people know, but not all people have frontal sinuses. According to statistics, about five percent of the entire population of the planet does not have them at all. In this case, the diagnosis is made - aplasia of the frontal sinus. But do not be afraid of such a term, since the absence of one or two frontal sinuses does not conceal any danger and does not lead to negative consequences.

The frontal sinuses (sinuses) are located in the frontal bone, just behind its superciliary arches. The lower walls of the frontal sinuses act as the upper walls of the orbit. As for the posterior walls, they serve to separate the sinuses from the frontal lobes of the brain.

The newborn has no frontal sinuses. They develop gradually and are formed by the age of 8 (at this time, their volume does not exceed 7 milliliters). The sinuses reach their maximum size only by the age of 25, when the final puberty occurs. As a rule, such organs are not symmetrical, because the septum that divides them is slightly deflected to one side (in relation to the middle). Some people, in addition to the main bone septum, may have additional ones.

The size of the frontal sinuses can vary over a wide range. They perform such important functions as the formation of vocal timbre, the organization of normal nasal breathing, and the formation of bones in the facial region.

Let's understand the terms

To denote the complete absence of sinuses or a delay in their normal development, doctors use different (but essentially identical) terms and designations:

  • aplasia;
  • atresia;
  • hypoplasia;
  • agenesis and so on.

In some clinical cases, a regressive development of the sinuses is possible, when an inflammatory process occurs and affects the already developed frontal sinuses. Quite often, agenesis and aplasia are used as synonyms for the same phenomenon.

If we take into account the characteristic features of the formation of the frontal sinuses, then it makes sense to use the terms aplasia and agenesis. The first word means the complete absence of the process of formation and development (hypoplasia of the frontal sinuses). The second is that there is a delay in the beginning process of organ formation.

As a rule, as aplasia develops, doctors diagnose bone hardening in the region of the eyebrows. This pathology will manifest itself especially clearly in the so-called marble disease.

Signs of paranasal sinus abnormalities

Congenital defects and abnormalities can be directly related to hereditary pathology, when the normal process of formation of other cranial regions is disrupted. For example, the abnormal development of the maxillary (maxillary sinuses) is detected in 13 percent of children diagnosed with sinusitis. Most often, anomalies of the paranasal sinuses are manifested as follows:

  1. In a person, the sinuses may partially narrow or be completely absent, as a result of excessive pressure on them from the facial or nasal walls. In this case, underdevelopment will vary widely, starting with a slight depression of the canine fossa, and ending with the complete fusion of the nasal wall and the facial wall. In the latter case, the sinus simply disappears in the lower section.
  2. Often, doctors diagnose unilateral type anomalies. In this case, facial asymmetry is clearly visible. When trying to puncture (puncture) an underdeveloped sinus, the doctor's needle passes into the soft tissues of the cheek.
  3. Anomalies and defects of the frontal sinuses will differ from each other in both their size and volume. In some clinical cases, doctors diagnose frontal sinus agenesis with a volume of up to 500 milliliters. There are four main types of delays in sinus development. It is important for 1xbet bookmaker to provide its customers with a wide range of sports: football, basketball, volleyball, and more exotic destinations. A complete list can be found on the official website. For each sport, there is a list of sporting events that you can bet on. There are also several types of bets. By visiting the official website 1xbet, you will be surprised at the variety of destinations that are offered to you. We are talking about a violation of pneumatization or its complete absence, unilateral or bilateral aplasia of the frontal sinus, trabecular agenesis and secondary sclerosis (anomaly of the regressive type).
  4. It should be noted that aplasia is most often diagnosed in men. In addition, with unilateral disorders, the most reliable diagnosis is the weak development of the opposite sinus.

Influence of aplasia on the occurrence of sinusitis

At the moment, clinical studies do not confirm the effect of agenesis or aplasia of the frontal sinuses on the nature, as well as the frequency of occurrence of nasal pathologies.

The underdevelopment or absence of the sinus in no way affects the form and frequency of inflammatory processes. In addition, it does not affect the appearance of pain in any way.

With aplasia, the following types of sinusitis are most often diagnosed in patients:

  • catarrhal;
  • chronic;
  • purulent;
  • polypous.

According to doctors, an underdeveloped sinus is not involved in the inflammatory process in sinusitis. This is especially true with a one-sided delay in its development.