title: Evaluation of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis using cone-beam computed tomography: three case reports.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ten to twelve percent of all cases of maxillary sinusitis derive from odontogenic origin. The purpose of this study was to report the use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning in elucidating dental pathology as an etiology of maxillary sinusitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intraoral periapical radiographs and CBCT scanning were performed in the evaluation of three patients presenting with pain, sinus congestion, or respiratory complaints. In the first case, extractions of impacted third molar and adjacent nonrestorable tooth were performed. In the second two cases, endodontic therapy was done. Radiologic follow-up with CBCT scanning or medical computed tomography scanning was performed 6 to 12 months after dental procedures were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All three patients presented with severe sinusitis that resolved after appropriate dental treatment. The first patient also showed marked improvement of chronic bronchitis after completion of dental treatment. In all patients, complete or near total resolution of sinusitis, including eradication of mucous retention cyst, was confirmed by post-treatment CBCT or computed tomography scanning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These cases show the utility of CBCT scanning in evaluating patients presenting with concurrent sinus and dental complaints. In these three patients, maxillary sinusitis of odontogenic origin responded well to the eradication of dental etiology.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, USA. AdvancedEndo@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jerome J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cymerman
authors.forename: Diane H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Cymerman
authors.forename: Rita S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: O'Dwyer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009078:Mucocele / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D014081:Tooth Extraction