Radiological Assessment of Frontal Sinus Morphometry in Sickle Cell Anaemia Subjects in Port Harcourt

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) subjects have been widely reported to present with various anthropometric deficits compared to their unaffected counterparts. This prospective comparative anatomo-radiologic study was carried out to determine whether there are differences in the morphometry of the frontal sinus between SCA and non-SCA (control) subjects in Port Harcourt. Plain radiographs of the paranasal sinuses (occipitofrontal and lateral views) of 129 non-SCA subjects (72 males and 57 females) sourced from the film library of 3 different hospitals, and 34 SCA subjects (24 males and 10 females) were exposed at the Radiology Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Following ethical clearance, the radiological dimensions of the frontal sinuses (height of frontal sinus-HTFS, anteroposterior length of frontal sinus-APFS and width of frontal sinus-WDFS), using millimetre rule was measured. The data were analysed by calculating the minimum sample size obtainable, mean, standard deviation (SD) and Z-test (significant at p 0.05). The mean dimensions determined for non-SCA and SCA males were HTFS: 23.17±8.52 and 21.92±10.32; APFS: 10.08±2.99 and 10.75±5.31; WDFS: 45.44±16.73 and 39.04±17.77 respectively, While mean dimensions determined for non-SCA and SCA females were HTFS: 24.28±9.80 and 21.20±15.13; APFS: 9.79±2.78 and 11.00±8.68; WDFS: 41.56±13.94 and 34.10±17.53 respectively. The results of this study showed no statistically significant difference in the dimensions of the paranasal sinus (frontal sinus) between SCA and non-SCA subjects. However the mean values of the dimensions of the APFS values were higher in the SCA subjects. These values will be useful in diagnosis and management of sickle cell anaemia patients by physicians.

Key Words: Anthropometry, frontal Sinus, Radiology, Sickle Cell Anaemia