Opaque maxillary antrum: a pictorial review

S, MM J. Gender Determination by Measuring Maxillary Sinus Volume Using Computed Tomography

Rationale and Objectives Skeleton analysis based on age and gender is of great importance since it is an initial step in personal identification and can be used to rebuild biological profiles and narrow down diagnosis toward correct possibilities of any unknown skeletons. Different dimensions of the maxillary sinus (MS) can be used to differentiate between gender. This study aims to evaluate and compare the dimensions and volume of MS among age and genders.

Materials and Methods Ninety patients (male 49, female 41) were studied. Different dimensions of MS, like anteroposterior (AP), superioinferior (SI), mediolateral (ML) diameter, volume of MS, and the distance between two MS were measured on computed tomography (CT) paranasal sinus images using an inbuilt electronic caliper on Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine viewer software.

Statistical Analysis Independent t-test and analysis of variance were used for data analysis in genders and age groups. Paired t-test was used for comparison of right and left MS.

Results The dimensions and volume of MS were higher in males than females. Dimensions such as AP, SI diameter (p < 0.005), and volume of MS (p < 0.001) were significantly different in genders. The ML diameter and the distance between two MS were statistically insignificant in genders. No significant difference between MS dimensions and volume was noted in different age groups, but age group 3 (41–55 years) showed higher mean values for all the measurements. A consistency was noted in the measurements in both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) images.

Conclusion MS dimensions are greater in males compared with females. The different dimensions and volumes of the MS using 2D or 3D CT scan images can be used along with other methods for gender determination in forensic anthropology.

Ten-year experience with multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of odontogenic sinusitis

BACKGROUND

Odontogenic sinusitis is an underdiagnosed entity and is one cause of failure of conventional treatments of sinusitis. Unfortunately, there is no consensus so far on the best management protocol. This retrospective study aimed to suggest a practical management protocol that can reduce misdiagnosis and improve treatment outcomes.

METHODS

The study included 74 patients with confirmed odontogenic sinusitis who were diagnosed and treated over 10 years (2010-2019). The patient data were recorded and analysed.

RESULTS

Dental pain was reported in only 31.1 per cent of patients. Fifty-six patients (75.7 per cent) had received dental treatment during the last year, but only 13 (23.1 per cent) reported it. Dental pathology was missed on initial computed tomography evaluation in 24 patients (32.4 per cent). Forty-one patients (55.4 per cent) were successfully treated by dental procedures and antibiotics. Fourteen patients needed functional endoscopic sinus surgery in addition to dental procedures.

CONCLUSION

Successful management of odontogenic sinusitis requires good communication between rhinologists, radiologists and dentists. Dental treatment should be the logical first step in the treatment protocol, unless otherwise indicated.

The maxillary sinus: physiology, development and imaging anatomy

OBJECTIVES

The maxillary sinus is of paramount importance for otolaryngologists, rhinologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, head and neck and dental and maxillofacial radiologists. A comprehensive review article concerning the physiology, development and imaging anatomy was undertaken.

METHODS

Relevant literature pertaining to the physiology of the sinonasal cavity, development of the paranasal sinuses and imaging anatomy of the maxilla and maxillary sinus from 2000 to 2019 was reviewed. Emphasis was placed on literature from the last 5 years.

RESULTS

Extensive recent research using imaging has provided new insights into the development of the maxillary sinus, the other paranasal sinuses and the midface. The fundamental physiological concept of mucociliary clearance and its role in sinus health is emphasized. The paranasal sinuses are an integral part of a common mucosal organ formed by the upper and lower airway.An in-depth understanding of the soft-tissue and neurovascular relationships of the maxillary sinus to the deep fascial spaces and branches of the trigeminal nerve and external carotid artery respectively is required to evaluate and report imaging involving the maxillary sinus.Sinusitis of rhinogenic, rather than odontogenic origin, originates from nasal inflammation followed by anterior ethmoid disease and secondary obstruction of the ostiomeatal unit. The role of anatomical variants that predispose to this pattern of disease is discussed in detail with illustrative examples.The maxillary sinus is intimately related to the roots of the posterior maxillary teeth; the high frequency of mucosal disease and sinusitis of odontogenic aetiology is now well recognized. In addition, an understanding of the anatomy of the alveolar process, morphology of the alveolar recess of the maxillary sinus and neurovascular supply are essential both for deliberate surgical intervention of the sinus and complications related to oral surgical procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

An understanding of the fundamental principles of the development, physiology, anatomy and relationships of the maxillary sinus as depicted by multi-modality imaging is essential for radiologists reporting imaging involving the paranasal sinuses and midface.

Imaging of odontogenic sinusitis

The aetiological relationship between dental disease and procedures and mucosal disease within the maxillary sinus has received extensive attention in the recent otolaryngological and dental literature. In contrast, the concept of an odontogenic cause for sinusitis is not well appreciated by radiologists. Review of the maxillary dentition, the alveolar process, and the relationship of the tooth roots to the floor of the maxillary sinus should be an integral part of interpretation of imaging of the paranasal sinuses. The pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and imaging features of rhinogenic and odontogenic sinusitis are discussed and compared. Clinical definitions of rhinosinusitis are explained and the huge impact on healthcare of this disease is briefly discussed. Periapical inflammatory lesions, post-extraction oroantral communication, and procedures used to augment the alveolar process prior to placement of dental implants are the commonest causes of odontogenic sinusitis. Current estimates are that an odontogenic cause for maxillary sinusitis is present in 25-40% of cases. The incidence of odontogenic sinusitis is rising, extension outside the maxillary sinus is common, and the diagnosis is often delayed, resulting in inappropriate and failed treatment. Differentiation of rhinological and odontogenic causes of sinusitis is usually difficult on clinical grounds and imaging plays a key role in the distinction.

Maxillary sinus posterior wall remodeling following surgery for silent sinus syndrome

Silent SINUS SYNDROME is a clinical syndrome defined by unilateral maxillary sinus opacification with atelectasis of the uncinate process. Clinically, this disorder is characterized by enophthalmos and hypoglobus. The current case report illustrates dramatic bony remodeling of the maxillary sinus following maxillary antrostomy. Although the remodeling is noted in the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus, this demonstrates the dynamic nature of bone remodeling in silent sinus syndrome, which may obviate the need for surgical correction of enophthalmos and hypoglobus. Following maxillary antrostomy, observation with staged orbital surgery, if required, is recommended.

Maxillary sinus unilateral aplasia as an incidental finding following cone-beam computed (volumetric) tomography

This paper presents a case of maxillary sinus unilateral aplasia, an uncommon condition in adults, diagnosed as an incidental finding during cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination for an endodontic case analysis. The patient was referred to a specialist endodontic practice for management of an upper right central incisor tooth. A CBCT scan was performed. The images of the left maxillary sinus showed a total lack of pneumatisation, prompting the diagnosis of aplasia. The patient's otolaryngologist was made aware of the findings. Clinical evaluation of volumetric images should be performed by an adequately trained dentist or radiologist so the maximum amount of information is gathered for the patient. This requires a systematic approach to ensure that no relevant information is missed and should include the paranasal sinuses and other surrounding structures as incidental findings can be observed during CBCT analysis.

Root resorption caused by a maxillary sinus mucocele: a case report

A maxillary sinus mucocele is an infrequent but benign lesion that develops from the obstruction of a seromucous glandular duct of the maxillary sinus mucosa. This clinical entity is generally asymptomatic and self-limited. Mucoceles are described as rounded dome-shaped soft tissue masses frequently located on the floor of the maxillary sinus. In this paper, we present a case of a slightly radiopaque well defined shadow arising from the left maxillary sinus floor that produced the root resorption of the upper second left molar. After the surgical removal of the lesion through a Caldwell-Luc approach, histologic study confirmed the initial diagnosis of mucocele. This case report emphasizes the need of clinical and radiologic follow-up to detect any complications associated with these benign lesions, because, in rare occasions, they can show an aggressive growth pattern.

Combined aplasia of sphenoid, frontal, and maxillary sinuses accompanied by ethmoid sinus hypoplasia

OBJECTIVE

To report the case of a woman who had combined aplasia of sphenoid, frontal, and maxillary sinuses accompanied by ethmoid sinus hypoplasia.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A 47-year-old woman presented with complaints of headache, nasal obstruction, and postnasal drainage. She had no previous history of either facial trauma or systemic diseases affecting the skeletal system. She had a history of functional endoscopic sinus surgery twice in an other institution. However, the surgeries did not significantly alter her symptoms. Coronal and axial computed tomographic scans of the nose and the paranasal sinuses showed poorly developed frontal, sphenoid sinuses, ethmoid cells, and very severe and profound hypoplasia (aplasia) of bilateral maxillary sinuses.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this patient seems to be the first case having combined aplasias of the sphenoid, frontal, and maxillary sinuses with hypoplastic ethmoid cells without any systemic or skeletal disease.

Complete unilateral maxillary sinus opacity in computed tomography

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Unilateral maxillary sinus opacity can be caused by many diseases, but an exact diagnosis is difficult to make. The aim of this study was to describe the pathological conditions and clinical features of patients with unilateral maxillary sinus opacity.

METHODS

From 2004 to 2008, 830 consecutive patients underwent sinus surgery or endonasal endoscopic biopsy at an academic tertiary care center. The preoperative computed tomography (CT) images for these patients were reviewed, and 11 6 patients were identified with complete unilateral maxillary sinus opacification. We then analyzed presenting symptoms, physical examinations, specific CT findings, and pathology.

RESULTS

The most frequent diagnoses were as follows: chronic rhinosinusitis (52.6%), fungus ball (29.3%), antrochoanal polyp (2.6%), benign tumor (10.4%), and malignancy (5.1%). Fungus ball was the most common diagnosis (10/18, 55.6%) in the subgroup of patients with isolated maxillary sinus opacity without disease in the other sinuses. Nasal discharge and foul-smelling breath were more common in inflammatory disease than in neoplastic disease. Neoplastic disease was more likely to present as epistaxis; a polyp or mass revealed by nasal endoscopy; mass effect in the cheek, palate, or gingiva; and bony erosion on CT. Erosion of the maxillary posterolateral wall and extra-sinus extension suggested malignancy.

CONCLUSION

Although unilateral maxillary sinus opacity is usually inflammatory in origin, fungal sinusitis and neoplastic disorder are also likely. A careful history-taking, a thorough head and neck examination including nasal endoscopy, and CT evaluation are all imperative for reaching a correct diagnosis.

Antral computerized tomography pre-operative evaluation: relationship between mucosal thickening and maxillary sinus function

OBJECTIVES

to assess the correlation between maxillary sinus inferior mucosal thickening and sinus outflow obstruction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

the study included 280 computerized tomography (CT) scans (560 maxillary sinuses). CT aimed to assess sinusitis; trauma to the face and intubated patients were excluded. Mucosal thickening was graded as < 5 mm (1), < 10 mm (2), < 15 mm (3), < 20 mm (4) and > 20 mm (5), and classified by appearance as normal, rounded, circumferential, irregular, or complete. Maxillary sinus outflow was classified as patent or obstructed.

RESULTS

mucosal thickening was found in 36.1% of the maxillary sinuses, graded as 31.2% (1), 34.2% (2), 12.9% (3), 5.4% (4) and 16.3% (5), and classified as rounded (11.8%), irregular (10.4%), circumferential (8.8%) and complete (5.2%). Sinus outflow was obstructed in 15% of the scans. Mucosal thickening of < 5 mm (11.1%), < 10 mm (36.2%) and > 10 mm (74.3%) was associated with sinus obstruction (P<0.0001). Rounded (6.1%), circumferential (55.2%), irregular (38.8%) and complete (100%) mucosal appearances were associated with sinus obstruction (P<0.001). When statistically combined, a substantial risk for sinus obstruction was observed with irregular mucosal appearance of > 5 mm (56.5% for grade 2 up to 82.6% for grades 3-5) and circumferential appearance (21.4% for grade 1 up to 100% for grades 3-5). A low risk for obstruction was found with the rounded appearance (mean 6.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

irregular (> 5 mm), circumferential and complete mucosal appearance are associated with an increased risk for sinus outflow obstruction and an ENT consultation is recommended. A rounded mucosal appearance of any grade is associated with a low risk for sinus obstruction. Routine CT scans, including the maxillary sinus ostium, are recommended.

Multidetector computed tomography of jaw lesions in children and adolescents

Jaw lesions in paediatric and adolescent population are uncommon and can arise in odontogenic or non-odontogenic tissues. With the advent of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), algorithm for imaging jaw lesions has changed dramatically. This pictorial essay describes the imaging appearance of commonly encountered jaw lesions in children and adolescents with emphasis on MDCT findings.

Spiral computed tomography based maxillary sinus imaging in relation to tooth loss, implant placement and potential grafting procedure

Objectives

The purpose of the present study was to explore the maxillary sinus anatomy, its variations and volume in patients with a need for maxillary implant placement.

Material and Methods

Maxillary sinus data of 101 consecutive patients who underwent spiral computed tomography (CT) scans for preoperative implant planning in the maxilla at the Department of Periodontology, University Hospital, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium were retrospectively evaluated. The alveolar bone height was measured on serial cross-sectional images between alveolar crest and sinus floor, parallel to the tooth axis. In order to describe the size of the maxillary sinus anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) diameters of the sinus were measured.

Results

The results indicated that the alveolar bone height was significantly higher in the premolar regions in comparison to the molar region (n = 46, P < 0.01). The age showed negative relation to bone dimension (r = - 0.32, P = 0.04).

Anterior and posterior border of the maxillary sinuses were mostly located in the first premolar (49%) and second molar (84%) regions, respectively. Maxillary sinus septa were indentified in 47% of the maxillary antra. Almost 2/3 (66%) of the patients showed major (> 4 mm) mucosal thickening mostly at the level of the sinus floor. The present sample did not allow revealing any significant difference (P > 0.05) in maxillary sinus dimensions for partially dentate and edentulous subjects.

Conclusions

Cross-sectional imaging can be used in order to obtain more accurate information on the morphology, variation, and the amount of maxillary bone adjacent to the maxillary sinus.

Two maxillary lesions containing bony/calcified shells

Because of the close anatomical relationship between the maxillary sinus and the adjacent dental region, determining the primary site of cysts in these regions can be a diagnostic dilemma. In this article, two cases with similar radiological findings are presented. These cases had lesions involving the maxillary sinus and the adjacent alveolar process; the lesions were surrounded with egg-shaped, linear opacities. Diagnoses of a residual radicular cyst in one case and a calcified mucocoele (which is very rare) in the other case were predicted with the help of radiological findings and were confirmed surgically and histopathologically.

Bilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia and aplasia: radiological and clinical findings

Maxillary sinus hypoplasia (MSH) is classified into three types depending upon embryological development of the sinus and uncinate process. Type III MSH is characterized by a near-absence of the uncinate process and an almost absent cleft-like sinus. Bilateral maxillary sinus aplasia or severe hypoplasia with associated paranasal sinus abnormalities is extremely rare. Two cases with severe maxillary sinus hypoplasia/aplasia (one of them with other associated paranasal sinus abnormalities) are presented in this article. This extremely rare abnormality should be kept in mind to prevent misdiagnosis and possible complications during endoscopic sinus surgery.