Evaluation of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis using cone-beam computed tomography: three case reports

Introduction

Ten to twelve percent of all cases of maxillary sinusitis derive from odontogenic origin. The purpose of this study was to report the use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning in elucidating dental pathology as an etiology of maxillary sinusitis.

Methods

Intraoral periapical radiographs and CBCT scanning were performed in the evaluation of three patients presenting with pain, sinus congestion, or respiratory complaints. In the first case, extractions of impacted third molar and adjacent nonrestorable tooth were performed. In the second two cases, endodontic therapy was done. Radiologic follow-up with CBCT scanning or medical computed tomography scanning was performed 6 to 12 months after dental procedures were performed.

Results

All three patients presented with severe sinusitis that resolved after appropriate dental treatment. The first patient also showed marked improvement of chronic bronchitis after completion of dental treatment. In all patients, complete or near total resolution of sinusitis, including eradication of mucous retention cyst, was confirmed by post-treatment CBCT or computed tomography scanning.

Conclusions

These cases show the utility of CBCT scanning in evaluating patients presenting with concurrent sinus and dental complaints. In these three patients, maxillary sinusitis of odontogenic origin responded well to the eradication of dental etiology.     

Pathophysiology of sinusitis of odontogenic origin

Sinusitis of odontogenic origin, which is frequently encountered in routine otolaryngological and dental clinical practice, has been described as a reactive maxillary inflammation secondary to maxillary tooth infection or trauma to an odontogenic disease of maxillary bone, dental extractions, implant placement, or endodontic treatment impairing the integrity of the Schneiderian membrane. The aim of the present review was to investigate and discuss the most recent pathophysiological findings, predisposing odontogenic factors, microbiology, and the possible involvement of bacterial biofilms (BB) in the development of sinusitis. The narrative literature review showed that there might be a correlation between the bacteria present in pathological teeth in communication with the sinus and those found in infected sinus. The formation of a BB might be also involved in the etiopathogenesis of sinusitis of odontogenic origin. In conclusion, the true origin of odontogenic sinusitis is still unresolved. In clinical terms, the choice of suitable therapy depends on the characteristics of the biofilm. Further microbiological studies are required to better investigate the role of BB.     

Rhinosinusitis in oral medicine and dentistry

Rhinosinusitis is a very common condition which is normally readily recognizable. Given the intimate anatomic relationship between the antrum and the posterior maxillary teeth, maxillary sinusitis can present as odontalgia. Distinguishing between odontogenic orofacial pain and pain associated with maxillary sinusitis is important to prevent unnecessary dental intervention and to direct patients to medical colleagues. Conversely, odontogenic infection can spread to involve the antrum, termed odontogenic sinusitis, or maxillary sinusitis of dental origin. Odontogenic sinusitis accounts for about 10–40% of all cases of sinusitis, and usually requires combined dental and medical treatment. Maxillary sinusitis can also be a complication of exodontia, resulting from tuberosity fractures, displaced teeth or root fragments and the creation of oroantral communications and fistulae. Dental implants and endodontic materials can also impinge on the maxillary sinus, and are rare causes of sinusitis. Often it is stated that rhinosinusitis may contribute to a halitosis complaint, and widely used diagnostic protocols for rhinosinusitis sometimes list halitosis as a minor criterion. However, gold standards in halitotosis research such as organoleptic assessment or gas chromatography have not been used to validate a correlation between objective (genuine) halitosis and sinusitis. The pathophysiology of this mechanism is unclear, and the relative importance of this alongside other causes of extraoral halitosis is debated.     

Surgical treatment of amalgam fillings causing iatrogenic sinusitis

Iatrogenic maxillary sinusitis is a rare disease entity that can be fatal if not managed. Thirteen patients (five men and eight women) were referred to our clinic because of chronic iatrogenic maxillary sinusitis. Eight patients presented with a left-side maxillary sinusitis, four patients presented with right-side maxillary sinusitis, and one patient presented with right-side pan sinusitis. The sinusitis was caused by the intrusion of amalgam filling during root treatment of teeth. All of the patients were treated surgically with a Caldwell-Luc approach. In 12 patients, the amalgam was removed with the infected and inflamed maxillary mucosa. In one patient, the amalgam could not be removed with the Caldwell-Luc technique because it was in the deeper part of the root of the molar tooth. Histologic examination revealed four cases of aspergillosis; three cases of papillary and polypoid sinusitis; three cases of nonspecific pseudo-polypoid sinusitis; two cases of hyperplasic polypoid sinusitis; and one case of catarrhal sinusitis. All patients were relieved of their complaints that were related to sinusitis. Radiologically, the maxillary sinuses were clean 1 month after Caldwell-Luc intervention. Iatrogenic maxillary sinusitis should be considered a serious infection. A smear should be taken whenever a foreign body is intruded into the sinus. Foreign bodies can get jammed in the posterior wall of the sinus and can provoke chronic sinusitis with a risk intracranial extension. Hence, the disease should be managed surgically without delay. Furthermore, dentists should be cautious with dental amalgam filling.     

Endoscopic surgical treatment of chronic maxillary sinusitis of dental origin.

PURPOSE: Chronic maxillary sinusitis of dental origin (CMSDO) is a common disease that requires treatment of the sinusitis as well as of the odontogenic source. We present our surgical experience performing contemporary treatment of the odontogenic source and endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in patients with CMSDO. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients with CMSDO underwent contemporary treatment of the odontogenic source and ESS. Five patients presented chronic oroantral fistula (OAF); 5 patients presented odontogenic cysts occupying the maxillary sinus; 2 patients had inflammatory cysts of the molars; 2 patients had maxillary sinus infection secondary to peri-implantitis; 3 patients had foreign bodies pushed through the root canal into the sinus. The first surgical step was the treatment of the odontogenic source. The second step was ESS with opening and calibration of the maxillary natural ostium. RESULTS: Foreign bodies were extracted from the sinuses through the endonasal approach. No major complications after ESS were observed. The average time for ESS was +/-25 minutes. Good distant results without symptoms and complete closure of the fistula were obtained in all patients. CONCLUSION: When significant sinus disease is found, an endoscopic approach to drainage in all of the involved sinuses can promote predictably successful closure of OAF. The endoscopic approach to chronic maxillary sinusitis of dental origin is a reliable method associated with less morbidity and lower incidence of complications.     

Part 2: Odontogenic Sinus Disease And Elective Clinical Procedures Involving The Maxillary Antrum: Diagnosis And Management

Although odontogenic sinusitis is a rare entity when compared to sinus disease of rhinogenic origin, it is extremely important to identify a dental aetiology when it occurs. The offending tooth or teeth would thus require endodontic treatment or extraction, and the sinus disease carefully assessed and appropriately managed. Aetiology and presentation of oro-antral fistulae are also discussed and guidelines for the management of this complication are recommended. Certain lesions such as cysts and tumours may involve the jaws and hence the maxillary antrum; some of these, such as a radicular cyst are quite common, but the rarer ones are included for completeness. Surgical techniques are continuously evolving to optimise form and function of the jaws, and when applied to the maxilla there may be some impact on nasal and sinus function. The advent, and now proven success, of osseointegrated jaw implants have brought with them innovations and refinements of bone grafting techniques, and more recently distraction osteogenesis for augmentation. Maxillary osteotomies for surgical orthodontics, and to facilitate prosthodontic treatment are briefly mentioned, as most of these inevitably involve the antrum and/or nose. This paper discusses, in summary form, important aspects of clinical dental practice which may involve the maxillary antrum. It is thus a broad overview of certain pathologic conditions and elective surgical procedures which have relevance to both medical and dental practitioners.     

Sinusitis caused by endodontic materials displaced into the maxillary sinus

Abstract Three cases of endodontically-induced maxillary sinusitis are presented. Two of the cases had previously been treated with overextension of gutta-percha points. The 3rd patient had been treated endodontically approximately 15 years earlier. All patients were treated with surgical removal of the endodontic material via an intraoral approach to the sinus.     

Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of maxillary sinusitis

Introduction

Dental pain originating from the maxillary sinuses can pose a diagnostic problem. Periapical lesion development eliciting inflammatory changes in the mucosal lining can cause the development of a sinusitis. The purpose of this study was to describe the radiographic characteristics of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis as seen on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and to determine whether any tooth or any tooth root was more frequently associated with this disease.

Methods

Eighty-two CBCT scans previously identified as showing maxillary sinus pathosis were examined for sinusitis of odontogenic origin in both maxillary sinuses.

Results

One hundred thirty-five maxillary sinusitis instances with possible odontogenic origin were detected. Of these, 37 sinusitis occurrences were from nonodontogenic causes, whereas 98 instances were tooth associated with some change in the integrity of the maxillary sinus floor. The average amount of mucosal thickening among the sinusitis cases was 7.4 mm. Maxillary first and second molars were 11 times more likely to be involved than premolars, whereas either molar was equally likely to be involved. The root most frequently associated with odontogenic sinusitis is the palatal root of the first molar followed by the mesiobuccal root of the second molar.

Conclusions

Changes in the maxillary sinuses appear associated with periapical pathology in greater than 50% of the cases. Maxillary first or second molar teeth are most often involved, and individual or multiple roots may be implicated in the sinusitis. The use of CBCT scans can provide the identification of changes in the maxillary sinus and potential causes of the sinusitis.     

CT maxillary sinus evaluation-A retrospective cohort study

Background

Proximity of the dental roots to the sinus floor makes dental disease a probable cause of maxillary sinusitis. The aim of this study was to find out if maxillary sinus pathologic changes were more prevalent in patients with dental disease and to evaluate the performance of computed tomography (CT) in analyzing and detecting apical periodontitis and other odontogenic causes on the maxillary sinusitis etiology in a Portuguese Caucasian population.

Material and Methods

Retrospective cohort study. The total sample of 504 patients and their CT was included in this study. The patients were from a private dental clinic, specializing in oral surgery, where the first complaint was not directly related to sinus disease, but with dental pathology. For each patient, the etiological factors of maxillary sinusitis and the imaging CT findings were analyzed. All the axial, coronal and sagittal CT slices were evaluated and general data were registered. The latter was selected based on the maxillary sinus CT published literature.

Results

32.40% of patients presented normal sinus (without any etiological factor associated), 29.00% showed presence of etiological and imaging findings in the maxillary sinus, 20.60% had only imaging changes in the maxillary sinus and 18.00% of patients presented only etiological factors and no change in the maxillary sinus.

Conclusions

Radiological imaging is an important tool for establishing the diagnosis of maxillary sinus pathology. These results indicate that the CT scan should be an excellent tool for complement the odontogenic sinusitis diagnosis. Key words: Maxillary sinusitis/etiology, odontogenic, computed tomography, maxillary sinus.     

Resolution of maxillary sinus mucositis after endodontic treatment of maxillary teeth with apical periodontitis: a cone-beam computed tomography pilot study

Introduction

Apical periodontitis (AP) is an inflammatory response that can affect the maxillary sinus. This study characterized maxillary sinus mucositis adjacent to teeth with AP and assessed its resolution after endodontic treatment.

Methods

Thirty maxillary sinuses in subjects (n = 29) who had AP associated with maxillary posterior teeth were imaged with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). When mucositis was detected, its resolution was assessed with CBCT scanning 3 months after treatment, and periapical healing was assessed using the periapical index (PAI) after 6 months.

Results

Excluding 5 sinuses obscured by sinusitis, mucositis was detected in 14 of 25 sinuses (56%). Nonsignificant inverse association was observed between the mucosal lining thickness and the distance from the sinus to root apices with AP. Four noncompliant subjects were discontinued. Three months after treatment, mucositis was fully resolved in 3 of 10 subjects (30%), partially resolved in 3 of 10 subjects (30%), unchanged in 3 of 10 subjects (30%), and worsened in 1 subject (10%). Six months after treatment, 6 of 10 subjects (60%) had reduced PAI scores classified as healed or healing. The subject with expanded mucositis at 3 months was not healing at 6 months.

Conclusions

Within the limited sample of this pilot study, CBCT imaging revealed a lower-than-expected prevalence of mucositis adjacent to teeth with AP. Fully resolved mucositis was not common 3 months after endodontic treatment, suggesting that in specific cases it might linger beyond 3 months after the elimination of the endodontic infection. Because of the low statistical power, the association between the resolution of mucositis and periapical healing could not be explored.     

CBCT在牙根尖周炎源性上颌窦黏膜炎根管治疗疗效评价中的应用

目的　通过CBCT检查患根尖周炎的上颌后牙,探讨牙根尖周源性上颌窦黏膜炎的特点及根管治疗后黏膜及骨质的改变。方法: 对25例患上颌后牙根尖周炎患者上颌窦进行CBCT扫描重建,确诊为黏膜炎后,根管治疗3个月后CBCT扫描明确黏膜炎消退程度,6个月后扫描通过根尖周指数评估根尖骨质愈合情况。结果: 剔除2例上颌窦炎,14例上颌窦表现为黏膜炎（61％),根管治疗3个月后,黏膜炎完全消退5例（35.7％）;部分消退6例（42.9％）;3例无明显改变（21.4％）。6个月后,3颗牙齿愈合（21.4％）,4颗牙齿好转（28.6％）,7颗牙齿未愈合（50％）。结论:上颌后牙根尖周炎易引发上颌窦黏膜炎,根管治疗是该疾病有效的治疗方法,CBCT影像能精确反映根管治疗前后上颌窦黏膜炎消退及骨质愈合情况,具有重要的临床参考价值。     

Effects of exposing dental implant to the maxillary sinus cavity

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exposing dental implants to the maxillary sinus cavity. This is a retrospective study. Thirteen patients with 18 implants that had radiographic evidence of implant exposure to the maxillary sinuses participated in this study. We evaluated the patient's radiographs immediately after implant insertion and 12 months after operation with the patient's clinical signs and symptoms due to sinusitis. Thirteen patients with 18 implants in the maxillary sinus had no signs and symptoms of sinusitis. Radiography showed thickening of the sinus membranes in 2 patients. All penetrated implants were successfully integrated, and there were no radiographic signs of bone loss or other complications.The exposure of implants to the maxillary sinuses caused no problems in the maxillary sinuses, and bone formation occurred in THE maxillary floor when penetration of maxillary sinuses occurred without tearing of the membrane.     

牙保存相关上颌窦底提升术的生物学基础

上颌后牙缺失需行种植修复时,如果骨量不足,临床上常规采取上颌窦底提升术进行骨增量,以满足种植体初期稳定性的要求。上颌后牙的根管系统非常复杂,出现牙髓根尖周疾病时,根管治疗有可能无法彻底控制根管内感染,治疗后仍可能再度发生慢性根尖周病变。上颌牙、牙槽骨、上颌窦解剖位置及其功能关系紧密,笔者将其命名为“上颌牙-牙槽骨-上颌窦复合体”。当上颌后牙发生慢性根尖周病变时,牙根进入上颌窦内或者病变扩散至上颌窦可形成牙源性上颌窦炎。采用显微根尖手术治疗这类患牙时,常通过上颌窦底提升术建立手术入路。笔者将这种为治疗牙源性上颌窦炎并保存疑难根尖周病患牙而采取的显微根尖手术联合上颌窦底提升术命名为“牙保存相关上颌窦底提升术”。该技术与牙种植相关上颌窦底提升术不同,是一种全新的治疗术式。本文通过文献回顾分析,结合临床开展该技术的经验和认识,从解剖学、病因学和病理学三方面阐述了该技术的生物学基础：上颌牙-牙槽骨-上颌窦复合体是该技术的解剖学基础,牙源性感染引起上颌窦疾病是其病因学基础,根尖周术区和上颌窦黏骨膜的感染性炎症反应是其病理学基础。本文详细解析上述三方面生物学基础,为牙保存相关上颌窦底提升术临床术式的...     

根尖周炎引起的牙源性上颌窦炎的治疗

目的:探讨根管治疗/根管再治疗治疗根尖周炎引起的牙源性上颌窦炎的可行性.方法:临床确诊的根尖周炎引起的牙源性上颌窦炎病例5例,根管治疗/根管再治疗3个月、6个月和12个月复查CBCT.结果:根管治疗/根管再治疗后5例临床病例临床症状消失,3个月和6个月CBCT显示5例临床病例根尖周、上颌窦底和上颌窦内变化不明显,12个...     

上颌窦黏膜增厚的锥形束CT影像分析

目的 运用锥形束CT (CBCT)研究牙源性因素对上颌窦黏膜增厚的影响,同时,通过对上颌窦黏膜增厚的随访,研究口腔治疗的作用。方法 回顾性分析2017年8—12月四川大学华西口腔医院就诊的患者,通过CBCT图像筛选出上颌窦最大黏膜厚度>2 mm的患者,评估上颌窦底及上颌窦黏膜增厚与患牙的关系,同时,记录患牙及其治疗的情况,观察随访前后上颌窦黏膜增厚的变化。结果 黏膜厚度与炎症距窦底的距离呈极弱负相关（P<0.05,r=-0.154）,而根尖距窦底的距离与黏膜厚度无直接相关性（P>0.05）。在治疗组中,窦底破坏组的黏膜厚度变化较窦底连续组大,黏膜厚度变化与根尖距窦底的距离呈弱负相关（P<0.01,r=-0.382）,黏膜厚度变化与炎症距窦底的距离呈中等程度负相关（P<0.001,r=-0.524）。结论 上颌窦炎的严重程度可能更大程度上取决于根尖周炎症边缘距窦底的远近而与单纯的根尖位置没有明显的关系。但从治疗效果来讲,炎症病变离上颌窦越近,上颌窦底越易被破坏,上颌窦炎受牙源性因素影响越大,口腔治疗的效果也越好。     

Frequency and Risk Factors of Maxillary Sinusitis of Endodontic Origin Evaluated by a Dynamic Navigation and a New Filter of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to determine the frequency and risk factors of maxillary sinusitis of endodontic origin (MSEO) on posterior maxillary teeth evaluated using dynamic navigation and a novel filter of cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging.MethodsCBCT scans of 453 patients (814 teeth) were selected. Data were divided into 4 groups: (1) root canal treatment (RCT), (2) relation of the root apex to the maxillary sinus, (3) apical periodontitis (AP), and (4) maxillary sinus inflammation (no inflammation, periapical osteoperiostitis, periapical mucositis, partial obstruction, or total obstruction). Frequency distribution and cross-tabulation were used for data analysis. The association of maxillary sinus abnormalities with other variables was analyzed using the chi-square test. The significance level was set at 5%, and the association between dependent and independent variables was analyzed using robust Poisson regression models.ResultsMSEO was found in 65.6% of the cases, and the highest frequency rates were in the periapical mucositis (44%) and partial obstruction (15.8%) groups. The rates of risk factors were highest in the cases of RCT (54.9%), AP (34.3%), and the root apex in contact with the maxillary sinus (53.8%). The most frequent sex and age group were female (55.8%) and 41–50 years (30.5%).ConclusionsThe frequency of MSEO was high and positively associated with RCT, AP, and the root apex’s position in contact with the floor of the maxillary sinus. The maxillary sinus filter of the CBCT software provides a clear image of maxillary sinus abnormalities.     

Endoscopic sinus surgery for dental implant displacement into the maxillary sinus—a retrospective clinical study

The aims of this retrospective clinical study were to present our management protocol for the retrieval of impacted dental implants that have become displaced into the maxillary sinus cavity and to define the role of endoscopic sinus surgery in this setting. All 24 patients (25 implants) who underwent surgical retrieval of dental implants displaced into the maxillary sinus between 2012 and 2019 were included. Data on surgical interventions and complications were collected retrospectively. Eleven patients (46%) had chronic sinusitis associated with the migrated implant. All implants were successfully retrieved via transnasal endoscopic approach alone: 80% via a middle meatal antrostomy and 20% via a combined middle and inferior meatal antrostomy. Five patients required a concomitant transoral approach for oro-antral fistula repair. None required a transoral approach for displaced implant retrieval. All patients healed uneventfully without complications. Transnasal endoscopic sinus surgery via a middle meatal antrostomy or a combined middle and inferior antrostomy is recommended as the primary choice for dental implant retrieval from the maxillary sinus. A transoral approach should be performed simultaneously only for oro-antral fistula repair. This surgical protocol proved to be safe and efficient, and it obviated the need for osteotomies of the anterolateral maxillary wall.     

Topographic anatomy of the inferior wall of the maxillary sinus in Koreans

Knowledge of the relationship between the root apex and the inferior wall of the maxillary sinus are crucial for diagnosing and treating a sinus pathosis as well as in assisting in dental implantation. Therefore, identifying the proximity between the root apex and the inferior wall of the sinus and clarifying the cortical thickness of the inferior wall of the sinus is essential for determining the topography of a spreading dental infection into the maxillary sinus. Accordingly, knowledge of the topography between the root apex and the inferior wall of maxillary sinus is important for diagnosing and planning dental implantation, endodontic procedures, and orthodontic treatment. This study was undertaken to clarify the morphological and clinical characteristics of the maxillary sinus, particularly the inferior wall of the sinus in Koreans, and to identify the relationship between the inferior wall of the maxillary sinus and the roots of the maxillary teeth. Twenty-four sides of the maxillae of hemi-sectioned Korean heads were used in this study. All specimens were decalcificated and sectioned coronally. On the sectioned specimens, 21 items were measured using an image analyzing system. The distances between the each root apex and the inferior wall of the maxillary sinus were measured. The distance from the root apex to the inferior wall of the sinus was the shortest in the second molar area and the longest in the first premolar area. The thickness of the cortical plate of the inferior wall of the maxillary sinus was thinnest in the first premolar area but it was thickest in the second premolar area. The vertical relationship between the inferior wall and the roots of the maxillary molars was classified into five types. Type I (the inferior wall of the sinus located above the level connecting the buccal and lingual root apices) dominated (54.5% in the first molar area, 52.4% in the second molar area). The horizontal relationship between the inferior wall of the sinus and the root apex was classified into three types. Type 2 (the alveolar recess of the inferior wall of the sinus was located between the buccal and lingual roots) was most common (80% in the first and second molar area). Overall, this study demonstrated the many anatomical characteristics and determined the relationships between the maxillary sinus and their surrounding structures. These findings may have an impact on the clinical management of patients.     

应用CBCT回顾分析牙源性上颌窦病变

［摘要］ 目的 通过回顾CBCT资料评估牙源性上颌窦炎的影像学表现及最易引起牙源性上颌窦炎的牙位。方法 将500例CBCT资料分为正常上颌窦、牙源性上颌窦病变、非牙源性上颌窦病变和无法判断来源的上颌窦病变,并进行统计学分析。结果 牙源性上颌窦炎的影像学表现是发生龋病、不良修复体的上颌后牙或对应牙位有未愈合的拔牙创,无论其是否伴有根尖周病变,该病变牙相应上颌窦底黏膜会呈局部隆突性增厚影像。牙源性上颌窦炎发病率占常人的12.4%,占上颌窦病变病人的48.6%。上颌第一磨牙最易引起牙源性上颌窦炎。发生上颌窦炎,即黏膜增厚>2 mm的病例中,黏膜平均增厚(6.11±4.43) mm。结论 牙源性因素占上颌窦炎发病因素的一半;上颌第一磨牙最易引起牙源性上颌窦炎;CBCT能清晰反映上颌窦的解剖解构及上颌窦炎所引起的变化。     

Endodontic implications of the maxillary sinus: a review

The anatomical and clinical significance of the maxillary sinus in relation to conventional and surgical endodontic therapy is considered. The discussion includes a review on the development, anatomy and physiology of the maxillary sinus, the diagnostic evaluation of the sinus and the differential diagnosis of sinusitis. Endodontic implications of the maxillary sinus include extension of periapical infections into the sinus, the introduction of endodontic instruments and materials beyond the apices of teeth in close proximity to the sinus and the risks and complications associated with endodontic surgery.