Objective: To evaluate the onset of initial pneumatization of paranasal sinuses with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and provides references in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric paranasal sinuses disease.
Methods: The MRI images of paranasal sinuses were retrospectively reviewed for 799 children of 0 month to 15 years old and the first pneumatization time of paranasal sinuses were analyzed.
Results: The ethmoidal sinuses was the first pneumatized in 100% (46/46) of newborn children. And 45.7% (21/46) of maxillary sinuses showed pneumatization during the first month of life and 97.8% (45/46) were pneumatized at 7 - 12 months. The pneumatized sphenoid sinuses was first identified as early as 4 months. And 86% (43/50) were pneumatized from 1 to 2 years old. Frontal sinuses was the last pneumatized paranasal sinuses. And 8% (4/50) of frontal sinuses were pneumatized at 1 - 2 years old and 97.8% (42/43) showed pneumatization at 14 - 15 years old.
Conclusion: MRI may be used to observe the pneumatization of paranasal sinuses. The initial pneumatization time of paranasal sinuses is earlier than previously described.