High Versus Low Radiographic Burden Odontogenic Sinusitis: Culture, Histopathology, and Patient-Reported Outcomes

Odontogenic sinusitis (ODS) ranges from isolated maxillary disease to pansinusitis. We compared patient characteristics, microbial and histopathological features, and symptom outcomes following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) between low and high radiographic burden ODS patients.

ODS patients undergoing ESS between 01/2013 and 08/2024 were reviewed. Preoperative CT scans were used to classify patients into high radiographic burden [with ostiomeatal complex (OMC) opacification] and low radiographic burden ODS [clear OMC]. Demographic, microbiological, and histopathological data were analyzed. Symptom improvement was assessed using pre- and post-operative SNOT-22 scores.

Eighty-seven patients were identified (high CT burden: 70; low CT burden: 17). High CT burden ODS was associated with older age (p = 0.014), higher overall degree of inflammation (p = 0.002), hyperplastic/papillary epithelial changes (p = 0.034), and neutrophil infiltration (p = 0.003). Culture of classic ODS bacteria (Fusobacterium spp., Prevotella spp., mixed anaerobes, Streptococcus anginosus group) did not correlate with CT disease burden (p = 0.110). No independent predictors of radiographic high-burden disease were identified. Post-ESS, significant reduction in total and rhinologic SNOT-22 scores was only observed in the radiographic high-burden ODS group (n = 39; median reductions: 23 and 12 respectively; p < 0.001).

High radiographic burden was associated with older patients and with tissue inflammation level. Classic ODS bacterial profile did not associate with increased CT burden. While these findings remain exploratory, the observed differences in inflammatory and symptomatic profiles between groups suggest that radiographic burden warrants further study as a potential factor in ODS clinical decision-making.

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