Paranasal sinus development and choanal atresia.

BACKGROUND Although the determinates of paranasal sinus development and sinusitis are not well defined, a candidate factor is blockage of the choana. HYPOTHESIS Maxillary sinuses ipsilateral to unilateral choanal atresia are comparatively small and have more evidence of sinusitis than do the contralateral sinuses. DESIGN Retrospective. SETTING Children's hospitals. PATIENTS Sixteen nonsyndomic children with isolated unilateral congenital choanal atresia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Determination of maxillary sinus volumes and mucoperiosteal thickening on preoperative computed tomograms. RESULTS Maxillary sinuses ipsilateral to unilateral choanal atresia have slightly larger volumes than, and mucoperiosteal thickening that is similar to, the contralateral sinuses. CONCLUSION These data suggest that maxillary sinus development and sinusitis are independent of posterior nasal ventilation and drainage.