Features of the anatomical structure of the wedge-shaped sinus in various age periods in children and in adolescence

The possibility of morphometric variability of parameters and variant anatomy of the sphenoid sinus at different age periods in children and adolescents was considered based on computed tomography data. Further, 425 computer tomograms of the head area of children and young people between the ages of 1 and 21 years, regardless of sex, were studied. According to the accepted age periodization, the studied material was divided into six age periods. The development of pneumatization of the sinuses is detected at the age of 1–1.5 years and continues in adolescence. The shape of the sinuses changes with age accordingly with increase in its pneumatization: in 1–1.5 and 2–3 years, the sphenoid sinus has only a precellular shape and in adolescence, the post-cellular shape prevails. The linear parameters of sphenoid sinus are minimal at 1–1.5 years (height, 1.7 mm; width, 1.7 mm; length, 1,3 mm) and 2–3 years (height, 6.7 mm; width, 5 mm; length, 5.1 mm). The sinus significantly grows in all directions at age 4–7. Hyperpneumatization of sphenoid sinuses with formation of side pockets is defined from 4–7 years in four variants: 1, maxillary; 2, lower-sided; 3, rostral; and 4, wing-shaped. In adolescence, there are all pockets of sphenoid sinuses, which are described in the manuals. The frequency of occurrence of intra-sinus septum increases with age; in almost all cases, incomplete bone intra-sinus septum is found. Onodi cells are found in almost each age group; their presence does not depend on the age of the child. If they are present, the spread of pneumatization of the lattice maze into adjacent surrounding anatomical structures is noted. When planning endonasal surgery on the sphenoid sinus in children and adolescents, the morphometric anatomy of the nasal cavity, variant anatomy of the structure of the sphenoid sinuses, and nearby structures of the inner base of the skull should be studied in detail.