Multidetector Computed Tomographic Morphology Of Olfactory Fossa And It’s Correlation With Body Mass Index In North Karnataka Region

Abstract

Background: Olfactory fossa is a depression in the anterior cranial cavity which harbours the olfactory nerve and bulb. The depth of olfactory fossa is directly proportional to Body Mass Index. Hence, higher Body Mass Index individuals have deeper olfactory fossa and are most vulnerable to Cerebrospinal fluid leaks during Skull base surgeries and Functional endoscopic sinus surgeries. Aim: The aim was to study the relationship between depth of the olfactory fossa and Body Mass Index by using Multidetector Computed Tomography in North Karnataka region. Methods: Paranasal multidetector computed tomographic scans of 820 patients were collected in North Karnataka region, Karnataka, India by using bone window. The depth of olfactory fossa, width, angle of olfactory fossa, thickness of lateral lamella of cribriform plate and length of cribriform plate were estimated on both the sides in both genders. Side symmetry and relation of morphology of olfactory fossa in both genders were calculated by using Student ‘t’ (unpaired) test. Correlation between the depth of olfactory fossa and BMI was calculated by using Pearson’s correlation. The data was considered statistically significant if p was less than 0.05. Results: Type II keros was most common when compared to other types of Keros of olfactory fossa. Statistically significant differences were observed in the depth of olfactory fossa, angulation of olfactory fossa and length of Cribriform plate when compared between male and female patients. Significant differences were not observed in the width of olfactory fossa and thickness of Lateral Lamella of Cribriform Plate when compared between males and female patients. There was a linear correlation between Body Mass Index and Olfactory Fossa depth; as Body Mass Index increases, depth of olfactory fossa shifts from type II to type III. Conclusion: This would help Radiologists, Neurosurgeons and Endoscopic surgeons toevaluate the complex ethmoidal skull base which are difficult to approach without distortion and without damaging other structure