Osteomeatal Complex variations and Maxillary Sinusitis: A CT-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Backgorund The osteomeatal complex (OMC) is the main drainage pathway of the paranasal sinuses, and anatomical variations, such as nasal septal deviation, may disrupt airflow and increase the risk of sinusitis; therefore, a CT Scan is the preferred modality for its evaluation. Objective: To determine the association between OMC anatomical variations and maxillary sinusitis based on head CT Scan results at Ajibarang Regional Hospital in 2024. Methodology: This analytic, observational, cross-sectional study used head CT Scan data, with OMC anatomical variations as independent variables and maxillary sinusitis as the dependent variable. Interobserver agreement was assessed using Fleiss’ Kappa, followed by univariate analysis to determine frequency distribution, and bivariate analysis using the Chi-square (χ²) test with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Interobserver agreement was substantial to perfect (κ = 0.76–1.00). Most patients presented with maxillary sinusitis (69.44%), and the most common anatomical variation was nasal septal deviation (52.78%), which was the only anatomical variation to show a significant association with maxillary sinusitis (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Nasal septal deviation is the only OMC anatomical variation significantly associated with maxillary sinusitis, while other variations showed no meaningful association.