Analysis of the maxillary sinus volumes via CBCT in patients with unilateral and bilateral cleft palate and lip

Background Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is a congenital condition that affects the development of midfacial structures. This study aimed to compare the maxillary sinus volumes (MSV) in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) to those of healthy controls using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods A total of 90 patients were included, consisting of 30 individuals with UCLP, 30 with BCLP, and 30 healthy controls. The age range of participants was 6 to 18 years. MSV was measured for both the cleft and non-cleft sides using Dolphin 11.95 Imaging Software. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA to assess differences in MSV between groups, with a significance level set at p<0.05. Results No significant differences were observed in age or gender distribution among the groups. In the UCLP group, the MSV on the cleft side was lower than on the non-cleft side (p<0.027). Both UCLP and BCLP groups had significantly smaller MSV compared to the control group (p<0.05). A significant difference was also observed between the BCLP and control groups (p<0.05), indicating that CLP conditions notably affect MSV. Conclusions This study shows that maxillary sinus volumes are significantly reduced in patients with CLP compared to healthy controls, with the cleft side exhibiting smaller volumes. These findings highlight the importance of considering maxillary sinus volume variations in CLP patients, particularly in preoperative assessments and surgical planning, to avoid potential complications.