Imaging anatomical study on the upper part of the uncinate process in adults based on volume CT

YANG Yu; WAN Hongyan; WANG Zhengchang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-7386.2013.24.003

Abstract：Objective To investigate image characteristics and clinical significance in the upper part of uncinate process in adults by analyzing the image data detected by volume CT in the region and its neighboring anatomical structure.Methods 100 subjects (200 sides) underwent orbital CT scan with 64-slice spiral high resolution computerized tomography ( HRCT ) , then the continuous coronal standardized images were obtained by MPR.Results The incidences of abnormality in different attachment positions of upper part of the uncinate process were in turn (from many to little):lamina papyracea+middle turbinate 325.%,lamina papyracea +skull base 21.5%,lamina papyracea+middle turbinate+skull base 21.5%,lamina papyracea 18.5%,middle turbinate 2.0%,skull base 21.5%,skull base+middle turbinate 2.0%.Among the 200 sides,there were 0~3 attachment points in upper part of the uncinate process and lamina papyracea in which the incidence (44.5%) was the most in one attachment point in upper part of the uncinate process with lamina papyracea .Among the 200 sides,there were 171 sides (85.5%) with frontal sinus draining into middle nasal passages ,and 29 sides (14.5%) were drained into sieve funnel.The attachment positions participated in constituting agger nasi cell (AN).Among 200 sides,188 sides had AN (94.0%) in which 110 sides (58.5%) were drained from frontal sinus to inner side of AN,55 sides (27.1%) were drained to rear of AN,and 27sides (14.4%) were drained from frontal sinus to rear inner position of AN .Conclusion HRCT and MPR technique can clearly display the anatomical characteristics and variable individualized image anatomical features in upper part of uncinate process ,which can provide valuable information for clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions .