Age-related features of the ethmoid bone in children and their clinical value

Objective. To determine the variability of morphometric parameters of ethmoid bone structures in childhood and to identify the most significant of them to optimize surgical interventions. Materials and methods. Craniometry of 87 native samples of children's skulls aged 1-21 years without gender identity, and 85 computer tomograms (CT) scans of children of the same age were carried out. Measurements on skulls were made with caliper gage, metal ruler. The CT scan was performed on «Toshiba» 4-slice computer scanner «Asteion-S4» with a 0.5-1.0 mm increment. To assess the validity of the differences between the rows, the t-criterion was used for independent samples. Results. The ethmoidal labyrinth at the age of 1-1.5 and 2-3 years has the smallest size: length - 26.9-28.7 mm, width - 7.1-7.7 mm, height - 14.1-15.9 mm. However, the cribriform plate reaches in infancy almost the same size as an adult (length 21.7 mm, width 10.4 mm at the front and 11.2 mm at the back) and is rectangular or oval in shape. By adolescence, its shape changes to trapezoidal or triangular. Frequency of pneumatization of crista galli (8.3-82.4%) increases in children's age groups similar to that of sinuses. Trans-ethmoid access to the base of the skull during endonasal operations is significantly difficult in children under 4 years old. Transcribriform access to the anterior cranial fossa and crista galli can be used from infancy. Conclusion. The ethmoid bone is mostly formed by the time of birth. The increase is observed by the age of 2 years, and then in 13-16 years, in 17-21 years the growth of the ethmoid bone stabilizes.