Maxillary sinus anatomic and pathologic CT findings in edentulous patients scheduled for sinus augmentation.

OBJECTIVES: An aberrant sinus anatomy or pathology can influence the sinus lift technique if it is encountered during surgical exposure. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of sinus disease and variations of normal anatomy among edentulous patients prior to sinus augmentation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 120 patients attending a private surgical practice (53 women and 67 men, with a mean age of 62.02 years, ranging between 34 and 81 years old) for whom treatment was planned for sinus augmentation were evaluated--medical history, radiographic and clinical examinations. Computerized tomograms (CT) and 3D reconstructions from 240 sinuses were analyzed using Dental CT.

RESULTS: Abnormalities were diagnosed in 74.2% of cases. Mucosal thickening was the most prevalent abnormality (68.3%), followed by retention cysts (15.8%) and opacification (9.2%). The diagnosed conditions included mucosal thickening, chronic sinusitis, sinus cysts and polyps. The prevalence of one or more septa per sinus was found to be 30%. Males present pathology more often than females (p=.028). No statistical correlation could be found between age and pathology (p>0.05) No significant differences in age or gender between patients with and without sinus septum were found (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The results reinforce the importance of thorough history taking and clinical and radiographic assessment prior to performing sinus augmentation, to prevent the probability of complications.