title: Occurrence of maxillary sinus abnormalities detected by cone beam CT in asymptomatic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of the maxillofacial region allow the inspection of the entire volume of the maxillary sinus (MS), identifying anatomic variations and abnormalities in the image volume, this is frequently neglected by oral radiologists when interpreting images of areas at a distance from the dentoalveolar region, such as the full anatomical aspect of the MS. The aim of this study was to investigate maxillary sinus abnormalities in asymptomatic patients by using CBCT.
  
  
  METHODS
  1113 CBCT were evaluated by two examiners and identification of abnormalities, the presence of periapical lesions and proximity to the lower sinus wall were recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and Kappa statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Abnormalities were diagnosed in 68.2% of cases (kappa = 0.83). There was a significant difference between genders (p < 0.001) and there was no difference in age groups. Mucosal thickening was the most prevalent abnormality (66%), followed by retention cysts (10.1%) and opacification (7.8%). No association was observed between the proximity of periapical lesions and the presence and type of inflammatory abnormalities (p = 0.124).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abnormalities in maxillary sinus emphasizes how important it is for the dentomaxillofacial radiologist to undertake an interpretation of the whole volume of CBCT images.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Dental School, Paulista University, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
authors.forename: Inara Carneiro Costa
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Rege
authors.forename: Thiago Oliveira
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Cláudio Rodrigues
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Leles
authors.forename: Elismauro Francisco
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Mendonça
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D002648:Child; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015523:Maxillary Sinusitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009078:Mucocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult