Computed Tomography Description of the Uncinate Process Angulation in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis and Comparison With Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, Nasal Polyposis, and Controls
There is a medial bulging of the lateral nasal wall in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Uncinate process (UP) angulation measurements in patients and controls to objectify this bulging. Thirty CF, 17 primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), 13 chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (CRSwp), and 30 controls were included. Angles were measured bilaterally on computed tomography (CT) scans: A, B, C on coronal sections, D and E on axial sections. Angle A was between the UP and the orbit inner wall, whereas the others were between UP and midline. There was no significant difference between controls, PCD, and CRSwp. However, CF had 3 statistically different angles with controls, 5 with CRSwp, and 4 with PCD. Angle A average value was 126° (±16°) in patients with CF, 138° (±19°) in controls ( P = .007), 145° (±15°) in PCD ( P = .001), and 138° (±14°) in CRSwp ( P = .001). Angle E average value was 35° (±10°) in patients with CF, 20° (±6°) in controls ( P < .001), 21° (±4°) in PCD ( P < .001), and 22° (±6°) in CRSwp ( P < .001). Uncinate process's anatomy is only modified in CF: Angle between UP and inner wall of orbit is closed, and angles between UP and midline are opened. These measures quantify the medial bulging of lateral nasal wall and support nasofibroscopic observations.