title: Anatomic variations and lesions of the maxillary sinus detected in cone beam computed tomography for dental implants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the presence of anatomic variations and lesions of the maxillary sinus in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of the maxilla required for dental implant planning.
  
  
  METHODS
  This transversal prevalence study evaluated a sample of 500 consecutive CBCT exams. The inclusion criteria were CBCT exams of the maxilla required for dental implant planning. The CBCT exams were independently evaluated by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists who assessed the presence of anatomic variations and lesions of the maxillary sinus. As most of the CBCT exams did not allow the evaluation of the area close to the maxillary sinus roof, anatomic variations that take place at this site were not assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The anatomic variations detected were pneumatization (83.2%), antral septa (44.4%), hypoplasia (4.8%), and exostosis (2.6%). The identified lesions were mucosal thickening (≤3 mm in 54.8% and >3 mm in 62.6%), polypoid lesions (21.4%), discontinuity of the sinus floor (17.4%), air-fluid level (4.4%), bone thickening of the maxillary sinus wall (3.8%), antroliths (3.2%), discontinuity of the sinus lateral wall (2.6%), sinus opacification (1.8%), and foreign body (1.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anatomic variations and lesions of the maxillary sinus were common findings in CBCT exams of the maxilla required for dental implant planning. As some of these conditions can modify dental implant planning and must require specialized treatment, its recognition is noteworthy in dental practice, and especially in implantology. The amount and significance of the anatomic variations and lesions detected in this study reinforces the importance of computed tomography in preoperative dental implant planning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Slice Diagnóstico Volumétrico por Imagem, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana Pelinsari
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lana
authors.forename: Pollyanna Moura Rodrigues
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.forename: Vinícius de Carvalho
authors.initials: Vde C
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Paulo Eduardo Alencar
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Flávio Ricardo
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Manzi
authors.forename: Martinho Campolina Rebello
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Horta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants