Comparison of the panoramic radiographic and CT features of post-Caldwell-Luc maxillary sinuses.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Ohba
T
T
Department of Dental Radiology, Kyushu Dental College, Kitakyushu, Japan.
Morimoto
Y
Y
Nagata
Y
Y
Tanaka
T
T
Kito
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D015050:Zygoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging