Relation between periapical lesions and sinus membrane thickening assessed by Cone Beam Computed Tomography

The aim of this study was to evaluate thickening of the Schneiderian membrane and to determine its association with periapical pathologies, using computerized cone beam tomography. An observational, analytical, cross sectional retrospective study was conducted. A total 179 maxillary sinuses were evaluated using CBCT. The presence of sinus membrane thickening and its association with unhealthy teeth was analyzed. Results are shown as percentages with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI); Chi square test was used with a significance level of 5%. Sinus membrane thickening was detected in 70 cases (39%; 95%CI=32% to 46%) and no sinus membrane thickening was observed in 109 (61%; 95%CI =54% to 68%) (p<0.05). The 70 cases showing sinus membrane thickening included 46 of odontogenic origin (66%; 95%CI =54% to 76%) and 24 (34%; 95%CI =24% to 46%) of non odontogenic origin (p<0.05). The frequency of odontogenic causes followed a heterogeneous distribution (p<0.05): penetrating caries, failing endodontic therapy, root remnants, deep restorations, implants, periodontal pathology. The main cause was caries (46%; 95%CI=32% to 60%) followed by failing endodontic therapy (26%, 95% CI=16% to 40%). The frequency distribution of involved teeth was uneven (p<0.05), with tooth 16 (33%; 95%CI=21% to 47%) being the most frequently involved, followed by tooth 26 (30%; 95%CI=19% to 45%). The high incidence of sinus pathology of dontogenic origin shows the need for interdisciplinary work involving dentists and ear-nose-throat specialists. Caries, inadequate restorations, periodontal lesions, implants, and the presence of root remnants are the main causes of Schneiderian membrane thickening. The use of CBCT for diagnosis and treatment planning allows detecting maxillary sinus membrane thickening and determining its association with an odontogenic etiology. (authors)