Giant Pneumatized Ethmoid Bulla: A Rare Anatomical Variation

Authors

  • Alanoud Al Omair Surgery Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8545-9413
  • Abdulrahman AlHumaizi Department of otolaryngology-Head and neck surgery, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5034-861X
  • Alya AlZabin Surgery Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7541-5521
  • Ebtesam Almajed Surgery Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.5563

Abstract

Pneumatization of the Ethmoid bulla varies greatly, and anatomical variations of the paranasal sinuses are quite common. However, giant ethmoid bulla prevalence in the published literature is relatively low. A 38-year-old woman presented with nasal obstruction and recurrent attacks of rhinosinusitis. The endoscopic examination showed a deviated nasal septum to the left, edematous left middle meatus, and hypertrophied inferior turbinates. The CT scan of the paranasal sinuses revealed an enlarged pneumatized ethmoid bulla, S-shaped nasal septum, bilateral inferior nasal turbinates hypertrophy, and obstructed left ostiomeatal complex (OMC), whereas the right OMC was patent. The patient underwent septoplasty and limited functional endoscopic sinus surgery. All symptoms were alleviated, and the patient remained symptom free after 6 months. Prospective studies should evaluate patients with sinonasal manifestations with radiologic evaluation complemented by nasal endoscopy to detect and rule out anatomical variations of the OMC region as a causative agent.

Endoscopic images of left nasal cavity examination showing enlarged pneumatized ethmoid bulla (EB) and healthy-looking nasal mucosa using 0-degree nasal endoscopy. The nasal septum (NS), inferior turbinate (IT) and middle turbinate (MT) are well-demarcated.

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Published

2025-01-31

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2025)

Section

General Radiology

License

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