Panoramic and tomographic implant studies: Role in the diagnosis of sinus disorders

Abstract

Objective: To study the presence of sinus disorders and their diagnosis based on clinical and radiographic findings, correlating their presence with tomography tests and panoramic radiography. Study design: We conducted a retrospective study on 152 patients who were seeking implant treatment, thereby allowing us to evaluate 42 patients who had abnormal sinuses. The patients underwent an evaluation of their medical history as well a clinical examination, panoramic radiography and tomographic study. Results: The average age of the patient was 59.8 years old, and 54.76% of the group were males and 45.23% were females. Prior respiratory disorders were present in 52.38% of the patients, and 57.3% of the group presented dental disorders. In assessing the type of wound, we observed that 73.21% were mucosal hyperplasia and 26.78% were mucous cysts. Of the 56 sinuses affected, only 28.57% were diagnosed using panoramic radiography. Conclusions: Panoramic radiography has limitations in the diagnosis of sinus disorders; computerized tomography (CT) remains the most effective diagnostic test.

Maxillary sinus diseases – diagnosis and differential diagnosis

“…Other authors emphasize that depending on the degree of sinus pneumatization, the roots can be projected into it, even some of the tips can become coated by the sinus mucosa. In other studies using CT, similar results were obtained regarding the distance between the roots and the sinus, and it was found that a small percentage of patients had roots that extended into the walls of the sinus (8). It has been demonstrated that, in cases of apical periodontitis, when the tip of the tooth root was in contact with the floor of the maxillary sinus, the incidence of mucosal thickening was lower than when the tip of the root exceeded the floor of the maxillary sinus, so the closer the tooth apex is to the floor of the maxillary sinus, the greater the impact on antral tissue (3).…”

“…On the other hand, recent prospective comparative studies showed no correlation of sinonasal symptoms with MMC (18). Symptomatic cases may occur when the sinus is completely full, the most common clinical manifestations being that of headaches, periorbital and hemifacial pains, and sometimes dizziness, nasal obstruction and recurrent sinusitis, among others (8).…”

Three-dimensional images contribute to the diagnosis of mucous retention cyst in maxillary sinus

“…Lower nasal concha and nasal cavities extend and protrude over the maxillary sinus when the patient is positioned too far from the X-ray machine or with the head raised, which produces images that suggest changes in the maxillary sinuses (24). A previous study compared CT with panoramic radiography and concluded that CT remains the most effective test for the diagnosis of inflammatory changes of the maxillary sinuses (16). …”

“…Martínez-González et al (16) compared panoramic radiography and CT to evaluate 84 maxillary sinuses and found that panoramic radiography had limitations in the diagnosis of changes in maxillary sinus, whereas CT seemed to be a better imaging tool. Despite the advantages of CT, it is no longer used in routine dental care because of its high radiation doses and cost (16-18). …”

Evaluation of the frequency of mucous retention cysts in the maxillary sinus in a Turkish population using cone-beam computed tomography

“…The roof of the MS and minor changes in the superolateral regions cannot be viewed in detail using panoramic radiography. 21 A different study comparing CBCT with 2D panoramic images has indicated that CBCT remains the most effective radiological method for the evaluation of inflammatory changes in the MS. 22 A CBCT examination of the maxilla is mostly performed prior to a surgical sinus lift and augmentation process for dental implant placement in the maxillary posterior area.…”