Does Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Affect the Maxillary Sinus Volume?

Area of Science:

• Craniofacial research
• Medical imaging analysis
• Pediatric dentistry

Background:

• Unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) is a congenital condition affecting facial development.
• Maxillary sinus volume (MSV) can be influenced by craniofacial anomalies.
• Understanding MSV in UCLP is crucial for orthodontic and surgical planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare maxillary sinus volume (MSV) between cleft and noncleft sides in adolescent UCLP patients.
• To evaluate differences in MSV between adolescent UCLP patients and a noncleft control group.
• To utilize cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for precise MSV assessment.

Main Methods:

• Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 44 adolescent UCLP patients and 44 age- and sex-matched controls were analyzed.
• Three-dimensional (3D) assessment, segmentation, and volume calculation of each maxillary sinus.
• Comparison of MSV between cleft and noncleft sides within UCLP patients and between UCLP and control groups.

Main Results:

• Adolescent UCLP patients exhibited significantly smaller mean MSVs (10701.52 mm³ ± 3369.33) compared to controls (16054.08 mm³ ± 5293.96; P < .001).
• A statistically significant difference in MSV was observed between the cleft side (10996.78 mm³ ± 3522.89) and the noncleft side (10382.3 mm³ ± 3416.2; P < .05) in UCLP patients.
• No significant difference in MSV was found between the right and left sides overall (P > .05).

Conclusions:

• Adolescent patients with UCLP demonstrate significantly reduced maxillary sinus volumes compared to their noncleft peers.
• The cleft side of the maxilla in UCLP patients shows a significant difference in MSV compared to the noncleft side.
• CBCT is an effective tool for quantifying MSV differences in UCLP, informing clinical management.