Pathologic changes in the maxillary sinus wall after conservative therapy in odontogenic maxillary sinusitis. Examination using bone scintigraphy

Single photon emission computed tomographic bone scintigraphy (bone SPECT) was performed in 16 patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis to compare inflammatory changes in the maxillary sinus wall including the alveolar process (bony lesions) before and after conservative therapy. Morphologic changes in bony lesions as evaluated by bone SPECT images correlated with those of the maxillary sinus mucosa (mucosal lesions) as evaluated by CT images. Morphologic changes in the bony lesions also correlated with changes in inflammatory activity in the maxillary alveolar process as functionally evaluated by bone SPECT before and after conservative therapy. Odontogenic maxillary sinusitis is considered a disease in which maxillary alveolitis causes mucosal lesions as well as bony lesions. Changes in alveolitis are associated with morphologic changes in bony lesions after conservative therapy, and these changes affect the pathophysiologic nature of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis. Bone SPECT is valuable for predicting outcome and treatment planning in patients with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis. (author)