Evaluating the Prevalence, Location, Morphology of Accessory Maxillary Sinus Ostia: A Retrospective, Cross Sectional Study using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate accessory maxillary sinus ostia (AMO) with the use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, which could be valuable for the assessment of maxillary sinuses before sinus-related surgeries and any treatment in maxillary posteriors. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of accessory maxillary sinus ostia, the location of accessory maxillary sinus ostia and the morphology of accessory maxillary sinus Ostia using CBCT images. Materials and Methods: CBCT images of 100 patients were evaluated using NNT viewer software. AMOs were seen in all three sections (thickness: 0.341 mm). IBM SPSS software version 24 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Hundred CBCT images (43 M and 57 F) were analyzed. A total of 146 AMOs were identified. Among the 146 AMOs, 85 were presented with one and 61 with multiple AMOs. Of the majority of the AMOs, 108 were located within Nasal Fontanelle (NF)/ Hiatus Semilunaris (HS) and the remaining 38 were located outside NF/HS and 85 were ovoid, 39 round, and 22 slit-shaped. Conclusion: Dentists must recognize the prevalence, location, and morphology of AMO for judicious use of CBCT in preoperative treatment planning in the posterior maxilla.