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Comparison of the panoramic radiographic and CT features of post-Caldwell-Luc maxillary sinuses
1Department of Dental Radiology, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Objective:
To clarify the panoramic radiographic features of the post-Caldwell-Luc maxillary sinus.
Methods:
The panoramic radiographs were compared with the axial CT scans of 48 symptomatic post-Caldwell-Luc maxillary sinuses which had been operated on more than 5 years previously.
Results:
The two characteristic features of the post-Caldwell-Luc maxillary sinus on panoramic radiographs were a right-angled triangular shape, due to absence of the floor of the maxillary sinus and radiopacity of the posterior wall and zygomatic bone, and an ill-defied panoramic innominate line. This shape was related to the finding of a contracted sinus with a radiolucent lumen on the CT scans. There was also close relationship between the ill-defined panoramic innominate line and thickened posterior wall on the CT scans.
Conclusion:
The characteristic features of the post-Caldwell-Luc maxillary sinus on panoramic radiographs were a right-angled triangular shape and an ill-defined panoramic innominate line. These features were related to a contracted sinus and a thickened posterior wall on the CT scans.