Assessment of maxillary sinus septa using cone-beam computed tomography: etiological consideration.

BACKGROUND

Septum presence in the maxillary sinus complicates sinus floor elevation surgery, and so it is important that septa are accurately diagnosed on preoperative imaging.

PURPOSE

Septa were observed regarding their relationship with the bony palate using cone-beam computed tomography (CT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty maxillary sinuses with dentate jaws of 15 dry skulls and a cone-beam CT unit were used. A septum was defined as a pointed bone structure, and an exostosis was defined as a rounded bone structure. The occurrence and locations of maxillary sinus septa and exostoses of more than 2 mm in height were evaluated. Also, angles between the direction of septum and median palatine suture were measured on axial images.

RESULTS

Twelve septa of 11 maxillary sinuses (37%) and nine exostoses of nine maxillary sinuses (30%) were observed. Also, 42% of septa and 67% of exostoses were antero-posteriorly aligned according to the transverse palatine suture. Moreover, the mean septum angle was 57.9 degrees in the anterior maxillary sinus region, and 101.8 degrees in the transverse palatine suture region, and significant differences were noted between them.

CONCLUSION

Maxillary sinus septa and exostoses could be clarified regarding their relationship with the bony palate using cone-beam CT.