CT demonstration of pneumatization of the uncinate process.

Consecutive coronal CT scans of the paranasal sinus and radiologic medical records of patients examined at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center from July 1987 through December 1988 were reviewed for the presence of pneumatization of the uncinate process. Patients with previous alteration of the anatomy of the paranasal sinus due to facial trauma, carcinoma of the paranasal sinus , inverted papilloma, or extensive sinus surgery were not included in the study. CT examinations were performed on either aGE 8800 (Milwaukee, WI) or a Philips Tomoscan 60/TX (Shelton , CT) unit. Data were acquired in the coronal plane without the use of IV contrast material. The images were collimated to 5 mm and obtained at 3-mm increments from the glabella to the dorsum sellae. A total of 263 coronal series CT scans were reviewed initially. Sixty-one patients failed to meet the study criteria. The final study group was composed of the remaining 202 patients.