Association between odontogenic conditions and maxillary sinus abnormalities: a retrospective cone-beam...

In this study, we investigated the correlation between odontogenic conditions and the presence of maxillary sinus (MS) abnormalities using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging.

The study unit was defined as the ipsilateral MS, maxillary alveolar bone, and posterior teeth. The study included 1,140 study units from 570 patients visualized with CBCT. MS abnormalities, MS septal walls, the anatomical relationship between the MS and the teeth, and missing teeth were recorded. Adjacent odontogenic infections, including periapical lesions, periodontal bone loss, and combined periodontal-endodontic lesions, were documented, and the shortest distance between the infection and the MS floor was measured. The possible correlations between odontogenic conditions and MS abnormalities were analyzed. Whether the anatomical relationship between the MS and the teeth was related to age or sex was analyzed. The chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and logistic regression were used for the statistical analyses.

MS abnormalities were detected in 57.54% of patients and 42.89% of MSs. Male sex (OR =1.653; P<0.001) and a MS adjacent to teeth with periapical lesions (OR =5.771; P<0.001), periodontal bone loss (OR =2.778; P<0.001), or combined periodontal-endodontic lesions (OR =13.818; P<0.001) increased the probability of MS abnormalities. In MSs with a single infected tooth, male sex (OR =2.413; P=0.045), infected molar (OR =3.431; P=0.008), and a smaller distance between the infection and the MS floor (OR =0.871; P=0.021) increased the probability of MS abnormality. The maxillary root apices of older subjects tended to be farther from the MS (P<0.001).

Adjacent odontogenic infection increased the probability of MS abnormalities. The likelihood of MS abnormality was related to the distance between the infection and the MS, not to the type of infection.