Cephalometric assessment of the maxillary sinus using computed tomography, from Sokoto, North Western Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The maxillary sinus is characterized by a significant inter-individual variation. Computed tomography (CT) measurement of sinus dimensions using provides a satisfactory assessment of the maxillary sinus and its conditions. Aim of the Study: To determine the size of the maxillary antrum and compare the depth, width, and height of the maxillary sinus between sexes and to establish a baseline for values in our environment using CT. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty subjects (79 males, 51 females), between 20 and 80 years, with normal maxillary sinus CT anatomy, from head CT scans done at the Radiology Department of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, were studied. Measurements were taken between the widest points of the sinuses, antero-posterior (AP) and transverse diameters from axial images, craniocaudal diameter from coronal and sagittal images, and volumes were determined by the product of these three-dimensional and slice thickness. Results: In males, the mean craniocaudal, transverse, AP diameters and volume on the right were: 32.21 ± 5.56 mm, 24.18 ± 5.80 mm, 36.94 ± 4.73 mm, and 14.98 ± 6.53 cm 3. On the left, it was 32.38 ± 5.33 mm, 24.12 ± 5.81 mm, 36.84 ± 5.31 mm, and 15.08 ± 6.66 cm 3 respectively. Similarly in females, values on the right were: 30.93 ± 6.09 mm, 23.14 ± 4.70 mm, 36.29 ± 4.71 mm and 13.26 ± 5.04 cm 3, and left was, 31.14 ± 6.00 mm, 23.69 ± 5.50 mm, 36.43 ± 4.64 mm and 16.06 ± 17.96 cm 3 respectively. Conclusions: CT measurements of the maxillary sinus dimensions are larger in males; however, females had higher left sinus volume.