title: Analysis of the Morphology of Maxillary Sinus Septa on Reconstructed Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Images.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Preoperative assessment of maxillary sinus anatomy can prevent complications associated with sinus grafting or implant procedures. The purpose of this study was to measure the frequency, numbers, locations, orientations, and heights of maxillary sinus septa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reconstructed cone-beam computed tomographic images of 1,012 sinuses were analyzed using NewTom VG software (NNT 2.21, ImageWorks, Elmsford, NY). This cross-sectional study included patients who underwent radiography at the department of radiology. The presence, numbers, locations, orientations, and heights of septa were analyzed. To establish multiple predictors in this study, groups were defined according to different radiographic features of the septa. Differences between male and female groups and between edentulous and dentulous groups were tested with χ(2) tests and the level of significance was set at 5%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample consisted of 506 patients (168 men and 338 women; average age, 35.1 yr). A significantly (P < .05) greater occurrence rate of 57.4% was observed in the edentulous group compared with the rate of 39.7% observed in the dentulous group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The difference in the prevalence of maxillary sinus septa between the edentulous and dentulous groups was statistically significant (P < .05), and the septa exhibited variable characteristics. It is essential and effective to analyze computed tomographic images of sinuses to evaluate the characteristics of septa before performing surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Resident, Stomatology Special Consultation Clinic, Department of Prosthodontics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Resident, Stomatology Special Consultation Clinic, Department of Prosthodontics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: Resident, Stomatology Special Consultation Clinic, Department of Prosthodontics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Professor, Stomatology Special Consultation Clinic, Department of Prosthodontics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: weibin0328@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D002648:Child; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003817:Dentition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult