Age-dependent differences of the depth of olfactory fossa in children

Abstract

Objective: With this radio-anatomical study, we aimed to describe the distribution of the depth of the olfactory fossa based on the Keros classification in the pediatric population in our region and to reduce complication rates by providing normative data. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted with computed tomography imaging of the paranasal sinuses of 390 pediatric patients referred over a six-year period in Sakarya and Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine. Patients were divided into 3 groups as 1–6, 6–12, and 12–18 years old. The depth of the olfactory fossa was measured and classified according to the Keros classification. The incidence of Keros asymmetries was also investigated. Results: The distribution of the depth of a total of 780 olfactory fossa according to the Keros classification was 24.7% Keros I, 65.9% Keros II, and 9.4% Keros III. When the groups were evaluated with each other and within each group, it was seen that the prevalence of Keros I type was significantly higher in the first group (p 0.05). Conclusion: In our study, high Keros I rate and low Keros III rate in children aged 1–6 were remarkable. Especially for children under the age of six, questions arise about the validity of the Keros classification. More detailed studies in larger populations, in different ethnicities, and with various age groups are needed. Level of evidence: Level 3.

Keywords

• Olfactory groove
• Multi-slice computed tomography
• Keros classification