Clinical Significance of Pathological and Anatomical Findings in Cone Beam CT Scans of the Maxillary Sinus

Eunice Kihara,Mark Chindia,Mohamed Parker,Tom Ocholla

doi:10.4236/ojst.2014.46040

Eunice Kihara, Mark Chindia + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/ojst.2014.46040

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Abstract

Objective: To determine the range and prevalence of pathological conditions and demonstration of significant anatomical structures in the maxillary sinuses using the cone beam computerized tomographic (CBCT) scan. Methodology: Case series of 60 CBCT scans of the maxillae. Results: Forty (67%) of the scans were of female patients while the rest (20, 33%) were of males. Remarkably, the majority of the scans were requested for those patients who sought dental implant fabrication. Overall, 35 (58%) scans demonstrated pathological features while 8 (13%) demonstrated significant anatomical structures. Pathological features included mucosal thickening in 26 (43%), polypoid lesions in 9 (15%), total antral opacification in 1 (2%) and foreign body in 1 (2%). The commonest anatomic feature was dental root protrusion into the maxillary sinuses in 8 (13%). Conclusion: The CBCT imaging is an important tool for investigating the maxillary sinuses for pathology and the demonstration of the associated anatomic relations.

Highlights

The cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an advanced form of three-dimensional imaging which was pioneered by Mozzo et al 1998 and Aral et al 1999
The radiation dose varies depending on the equipment, field of view (FOV) and selected technique
Cone beam CT lacks a soft tissue window hindering the assessment of head and neck malignancy

Summary

Introduction

The cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an advanced form of three-dimensional imaging which was pioneered by Mozzo et al 1998 and Aral et al 1999 It is custom-designed for the evaluation of hard tissues in the craniofacial area and has been in use since 1998 [1] [2]. Software programmes integrating the cone-beam algorithm are applied to these projection data to generate a 3-dimensional (3D) volumetric dataset This can give 3D, multiplanar (axial, coronal, saggital) and panoramic images, which are free of superimpositions as compared to conventional 2D radiographs [3]-[8]. The maxillary sinuses may manifest diverse pathological conditions including inflammatory reactions, antral polyps, retention cysts, neoplasms, lesions arising from trauma and other displaced objects [3] [18] The demonstration of these features is useful when designing evidence-based management. We analyzed archived CBCT scans to determine the range and prevalence of pathological conditions manifesting in the maxillary sinuses in addition to demonstrating significant anatomical findings

Material and Method

Results

FINDINGS Total maxillary scans

Conclusion