Appropriate interslice gap for screening coronal paranasal sinus tomography for mucosal thickening

Abstract

The objective of this study was to establish the appropriate interslice gap for screening coronal paranasal sinus tomography to identify sinus mucosal thickening. We reviewed 100 coronal paranasal sinus tomographic scans (interslice gap, 2 mm) that had been performed at our institution between January 2004 and November 2004 to evaluate rhinosinusitis. Digital photographs of all slices from each tomographic scan were taken. The intervening slices were eliminated to form six different sets of interslice gaps of 4, 6, 8, 10, 16, and 20 mm. The remaining slices for each set were moved to corresponding folders created on a computer to catalog each interslice gap. The same specialist evaluated each folder of interslice gap. The paranasal sinuses, the ethmoid infundibulum, and the frontal recess were evaluated for mucosal thickening. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of each interslice gap in detecting mucosal thickening were calculated by accepting the results of 2-mm-thick slices as the gold standard. The interslice gap of 2 mm was compared with that of other interslice gaps using the chi-square test for dependent groups (the McNemar test). The value of 20 mm interslice gap in detecting sinus mucosal thickening was found to be significantly low when compared with the interslice gap of 2 mm (P = 0.022). Using coronal paranasal sinus tomography, an interslice gap up to 16 mm may be used to detect sinus mucosal thickening.

Characteristics and Dimensions of the Schneiderian Membrane and Apical Bone in Maxillary Molars Referred for Apical Surgery: A Comparative Radiographic Analysis Using Limited Cone Beam Computed Tomography

“…In a study analyzing sinus biopsies (6) or magnetic resonance imaging (16). The mucosa could be seen only at a thickness of 2 mm or above, and, therefore, historically, 2 mm was considered a reliable threshold for pathological mucosal swelling (9). For both groups analyzed in the present study, the differences between the measured mucosal values were not statistically significantly different when comparing the sagittal and coronal slices within the same group, but the values for the group with apical pathologies were statistically significantly higher when compared with patients without apical lesions.…”

“…In CT and magnetic resonance imaging studies, coronal slices are well established for evaluating the mucosal thickness in the maxillary sinus, and the measurements are always performed perpendicularly to the underlying bone (5)(6)(7)(8)(9). The available literature describing potential local or systemic influences on the thickness of the Schneiderian membrane identifies many different factors.…”

Dental implants and grafting success remain high despite large variations in maxillary sinus mucosal thickening

“…Similarly, Pazera et al [24] reported a prevalence of 23.7% and Janner et al [20] reported 37% of cases with membrane thickening. In a recent study, Brüllmann et al [17] found 74% of evaluated sinuses had sinus findings upon CBCT examination. These differences in prevalence might result from the different inclusion criteria among the studies.…”

“…Mucosal thickening >2 mm is considered a threshold for pathological thickness [17]. Although mucosal thickening is the most common radiographic finding observed regarding sinus pathology [18], the knowledge regarding its clinical significance on the outcomes of dental implants and grafting in the maxillary sinuses is still limited [19].…”

The Relationship between Dental Indentation and Maxillary Sinusitis

“…Some studies have suggested that, on average, the normal thickness of healthy sinuses can be approximately 1 mm, with considerable variation among individuals [14]. In general, 2 mm was considered a reliable threshold for pathological mucosal swelling [15]. In our study, mucosal thickness over 2 mm was accepted as pathologic.…”