Evaluation of the position of the posterior superior alveolar artery in relation to the maxillary sinus using the Cone-Beam computed tomography scans

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diameter, relationship and position of the posterior superior alveolar artery and its relationship with the alveolar ridge, the medial wall of the maxillary sinus, the prevalence of pathologic conditions and the maxillary sinus septa on CBCT images. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 200 CBCT images (400 maxillary sinuses) of patients over 20 years of age were evaluated. The distances between the lower border of the artery and the alveolar crest and between the artery and the medial wall of the sinus and the diameter of the artery were measured. The position of the artery, the presence of pathologic conditions and septa were recorded in the posterior region in: a) males edentulous in the posterior region; b) males having teeth in the posterior region; c) females edentulous in the posterior region; and d) females having teeth in the posterior region. RESULTS The mean distance between the artery and the alveolar crest, irrespective of groupings, was 16.17±1.63 mm, with significant differences between the groups (P<0.05). The mean distance between the artery and the medial wall of the sinus was 11.65±1.21 mm, with no significant differences between the groups (P=0.796). The mean diameter of the canal was 1.37±0.44 mm, with no significant differences between the 4 groups (P=0.570). The position of the artery was intraosseous in 73.2%, beneath the sinus membrane in 21.7% and external to the lateral wall of the sinus in 4.9% of the cases. The overall prevalence rates of pathologic conditions and septa in the maxillary sinus were 45.7% and 26%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS CBCT technique is useful for such evaluations and for possible variations in maxillary sinuses and presence of septa and pathologic entities in maxillary sinuses. Key words:Maxillary sinus, maxillary artery, Cone-Beam computed tomography.