Maxillary sinus septa: incidence, morphology and clinical implications

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Radiology

Background:

• Antral septa are bony formations within the maxillary sinus.
• Their prevalence, morphology, and clinical significance are not fully understood.
• Accurate anatomical knowledge is vital for preventing surgical complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence, morphology, and clinical implications of antral septa.
• To compare clinical and radiographic (CT) findings of antral septa.
• To assess the relationship between septa characteristics and maxillary bone conditions.

Main Methods:

• Clinical examination of 65 maxillary sinuses during sinus floor elevation.
• Radiographic examination (CT) of 200 maxillary sinuses.
• Subclassification of CT scans into non-atrophic/dentate and atrophic/edentulous segments.

Main Results:

• Antral septa were observed in 27.7% of clinically examined sinuses and 16% of CT-examined sinuses.
• Incidence was higher in atrophic maxillary segments (26.8%) compared to non-atrophic segments (13.2%) on CT (P < 0.01).
• CT revealed septa dimensions were significantly greater in non-atrophic segments (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• Antral septa are frequently encountered anatomical variations.
• Detailed knowledge of their location, morphology, and height is essential for safe maxillary sinus surgery.
• This understanding aids in reducing surgical complications during procedures like sinus floor elevation.