MANOMETRIC STUDY OF COMPLETE OSTIAL OCCLUSION IN CHRONIC MAXILLARY ATELECTASIS

The effect of complete ostial occlusion on static pressure within the human maxillary sinus has not been previously studied. In this study, a novel way to directly determine maxillary sinus pressure is describe d. Maxillary sinus pressures were measured in five patients with chron ic maxillary atelectasis (CMA); these values were compared to values o btained from the contralateral side and from patients with chronic sin usitis. Measurements were made by introducing an 18-gauge needle probe through the membranous fontanel of the maxillary sinus and recording the pressure value with an amplified, pressure-sensitive transducer. T he average value recorded in five patients with atelectasis of the max illary sinus and complete ostial occlusion was -8.4 +/- 2.6 cm H2O (me an +/- standard deviation). Static pressure measurements of the contra lateral antrum were isobaric, as were measurements found in patients w ith chronic sinusitis. This study reports for the first time the sinus pressure of completely occluded maxillary ostia in patients with CMA. These results may improve our understanding of the development of ost ial occlusion and its role in the pathogenesis of CMA and sinusitis.