Shape, Septa and Scalloping of the Maxillary Sinus

Abstract

RENNIE, C.; HAFFAJEE, M. R. & SATYAPAL, K. S.Shape, septa and scalloping of the maxillary sinus. Int. J. Morphol., 35(3):970-978, 2017. SUMMARY:The maxillary sinus varies according to age, however there are limited studies that have illustrated its 3D form over time. This study aimed to classify the maxillary sinus by the shape, number of septa and scallops in a 1 to 25 year age group, utilising computerized tomography (CT) scans and 3D reconstruction. CT scans (n=480) were reviewed from the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) of the state and private hospitals in Pietermaritzburg and Durban KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The sample consisted of 276 males and 204 females, 1-25 years and of two population groups, black African and white. SLICER 3D (www.slicer.org) was utilised in order to reconstruct a 3D model of the sinus. Morphological traits such as the presence of the sinus, scalloping and septa within the sinuses were categorised. In addition, the shape of the 3D model of the sinus was analysed anteriorly (coronal) and laterally (sagittal) adapting the classifications by Kim (1962) and Kim et al. (2002). The maxillary sinus was present bilaterally in n=477 individuals (99.4 %). Five different anterior shapes viz. Type 1 (triangular), Type 2 (upside down triangle), Type 3 (square), Type 4 (irregular) and Type 5 (rectangular) were identified in the anterior view. This shape was associated with age and population groups (p<0.05). In the lateral view, the maxillary sinus appeared to be quadrilateral with differences noted along the inferior wall. Intrasinus maxillary septa were more evident in the anterior region of the maxillary sinus (27.9 % right; 28.5 % left). The maxillary septa were commoner in females (37.9 % right; 39.4 % left) than in males (28.5 % right; 30.3 % left). They were also more commonly observed in the white cohort (63.8 % right; 68.1 % left) than in the black African cohort (29.1 % right; 30.5 % left). Scalloping in the axial plane from above along its anterior margin was also observed. An in-depth classification of the morphology of the 3D form of the maxillary sinus according to age (1 to 25 years) was established. Five different shapes in both the anterior and lateral view of the 3D model were observed. Anteriorly, it was noted that the main shape was Type 2 (upside down triangle). The shape of the sinus changed in the form according to age. Laterally, the shape was related to the development of the teeth, as the inferior wall of the sinus was classified. Maxillary septa and scalloping of the sinus were reported in all age groups. Surgically, the sinus morphology is essential for dental procedures such as sinus augmentation or dental implants, and anthropologically, in forensic identification.

Prevalence and characterization of maxillary sinus septa in a brazilian population

“…On the other hand, some authors have demonstrated that the highest rate of prevalence of maxillary septa occurred in the posterior region ( 8 , 13 , 21 ). Rennie, Haffajee and Satyapal, in turn, noted that the majority of septa were localized in the anterior region of the maxilla ( 22 ). Khalighi Sigaroudi et al .…”

Determination of the Features of the Maxillary Sinuses Floor Contours in Patients With Different Forms of the Facial Skeleton for Preparation to Open Sinus Lift Surgery

“…На основі КТ-зображень черепів було оцінено вікові зміни розмірів верхньощелепної пазухи стосовно діаметрів лицевого скелета. Статистичний аналіз (коефіцієнт кореляції та детер-мінації) показав, що розміри та конфігурація верхньощелепних пазух статистично значуще корелюють із параметрами середньої частини обличчя [28][29][30].…”

Pediatric paranasal sinuses—Development, growth, pathology, & functional endoscopic sinus surgery

“…The morphological shape of the MS changes with age. When viewed anteriorly, the most common shaped is the rectangle from 1 to 3 years, the triangle from 4 to 12 years, and the upside‐down triangle shape from age 13 onwards (Rennie et al, 2017a). On the lateral view, the MS is quadrilateral across all the age groups with differences only noted along the inferior wall of the sinus which is influenced by teeth eruption.…”