Tomographic Evaluation of Prevalence, Position, and Diameter of the Intraosseous Branch of the Posterior Superior Alveolar Artery in Fully Edentulous Individuals

Anatomic evaluation of the posterior superior alveolar artery using cone-beam computed tomography: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

This systematic review examined the detection of the posterior superior alveolar artery, along with various anatomic characteristics, on cone-beam computed tomography images.

Materials and Methods

Studies were identified electronically through the Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using a 5-item binary scale. The detection rate, location, and classified diameter of the posterior superior alveolar artery were estimated as prevalence values. The diameter of this artery, as well as the distances from the artery to the alveolar crest and sinus floor, were estimated as means with associated 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Thirty-seven studies were enrolled, with 34 of these included in the meta-analysis. The mean detection rate was 79% (range: 72%-84%), and the mean diameter was 1.06±0.05 mm (range: 0.96-1.16 mm). The posterior superior alveolar artery was located intraosseously in 64% of cases. The mean distance of the artery from the alveolar crest was 16.71±0.49 mm (range: 15.75-17.68 mm), while the mean distance from the artery to the sinus floor was 8.85±0.4 mm (range: 8.05-9.64 mm).

Conclusion

According to the findings of this meta-analysis regarding various anatomic characteristics of the posterior superior alveolar artery, severe hemorrhage after damage to this artery during sinus augmentation procedures is not a substantial clinical problem.

[Surgical anatomy of the maxillary sinus]

BACKGROUND

Improved understanding of the microanatomy of the paranasal sinuses, including its individual variations, makes a substantial contribution to current progress in endonasal endoscopic microsurgery. Microanatomy of the sinuses is an active field of present scientific investitations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive review on microanatomy of the maxillary sinus is presented from the perspective of contemporary endonasal endoscopic microsurgery.

RESULTS

The range of variation of the individual microanatomy of all sections of the maxillary sinus is presented, in particular to minimize secondary sugical tissue trauma, to avoid complications (e.g. on orbital tissues) and as a basis for the prelacrimal access to the maxillary sinus.

CONCLUSION

Improved understanding of the range of microanatomical variations reduced the burden on the patient while opimizing the effectiveness of the necessary surgical manipulations.

Anatomic Variation of Posterior Superior Alveolar Artery: Review of Literature and Case Introduction

The objective of this article is to review topography of posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA), and to present a case with visualization of a rare anatomic variation of PSAA. An electronic search was undertaken to identify articles about topography of PSAA in Medline, Embase, and Google Scholar databases, published between January 1977 and December 2017. Two animal studies, 8 cadaver studies, 18 cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) studies, and 2 review articles were found. The animal studies, cadaver studies, and review articles were excluded because they were not about topography of PSAA. Only CBCT studies were included in this review. Accurate knowledge of vital structures in the surgical area is critical during surgical procedures. PSAA should be analyzed during planning sinus lifting with lateral approach. In the present case, a detailed evaluation of patient by CBCT provided the opportunity to find out a rare variation of PSAA with multiple vessels.