PurposeInsufficient knowledge of the anatomy of the maxillary sinuses prior to sinus graft surgery may lead to perioperative or postoperative complications. This study sought to characterize the position of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) within the maxillary sinuses using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).Materials and MethodsA total of 300 patients with edentulous posterior maxillae, including 138 females and 162 males with an age range of 33-86 years, who presented to a radiology clinic between 2013 and 2015 were enrolled in this retrospective cross-sectional study. The distance from the inferior border of the PSAA to the alveolar crest according to the residual ridge classification by Lekholm and Zarb, the distance from the PSAA to the nasal septum and zygomatic arch, and the diameter and position of the PSAA were all assessed on patients' CBCT scans. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and the t-test.ResultsThe PSAA was detected on the CBCT scans of 87% of the patients; it was located beneath the sinus membrane in 47% of cases and was intraosseous in 47% of cases. The diameter of the artery was between 1 and 2 mm in most patients (72%). The mean diameter of the artery was 1.29±0.39 mm, and the mean distances from the PSAA to the zygomatic arch, nasal septum, and alveolar crest were 22.59±4.89 mm, 26.51±3.52 mm, and 16.7±3.96 mm, respectively.ConclusionThe likelihood of detecting the PSAA on CBCT scans is high; its location is intraosseous or beneath the sinus membrane in most patients. Determining the exact location of the PSAA on CBCT scans preoperatively can help prevent it from being damaged during surgery.

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Introduction: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anatomy of the maxillary sinus in relation to its position and the height of its septa, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods:In this descriptive retrospective study, 300 CBCT images of maxillary sinuses of patients with posterior maxillary edentulism were evaluated. The maxillary sinus septa were evaluated in relation to their prevalence, height, and position; t-test and Mann-Whitney tests were used for the analysis of data.Results: Sinus septa were detected in 44% of the subjects, with equal frequencies in the anterior, middle, and posterior positions. The mean height of the septa was 3.6 ± 1.56 mm. Conclusion:In a population of Iranian subjects, in half of the cases, the sinus septa might be present in the anterior, middle, and posterior positions.Clinical significance: In order to avoid intraoperative problems during sinus lift procedures, it is necessary to accurately evaluate the sinus, preferably with the use of CBCT.

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