Alveolar antral artery in edentulous patients and their visualization through cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to assess the anatomical features of the alveolar antral artery (AAA) in edentulous patients using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). PATIENTS: The sample consisted of 191 CBCT scans of maxillary sinuses (n=382) of male (n=59) and female (n=132) edentulous patients (age: 38-89 years). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The images were analyzed in Dolphin™ 11.9 software. Visualization, location, and diameter of the AAA was registered. RESULTS: AAA was present in 88.5% of the assessed maxillary sinuses. Bilateral visualization was predominant 77% (P<0.0001). The mean vertical distance from the most anterior part of the AAA to the sinus floor was 7.9±6mm in female patients (both sides) and 12±7.22mm on the right side and 10.9±6.86mm on the left side in males. The mean diameter of the AAA was 1.2±0.7mm on both sides in females. In males, the diameter was significantly (P<0.05) larger: 1.5±0.62mm on the right side and 1.4±0.69 on the left side in females. CONCLUSION: The AAA had a higher visualization rate, better visualization, and larger diameter when it was present bilaterally in male and female patients.

Assessment of accessory canals of the canalis sinuosus: a study of 1000 cone beam computed tomography examinations.

The aim of this study was to verify the presence, spatial location, and calibre of the accessory canals (AC) of the canalis sinuosus by cone beam computed tomography, and their relationship to the anterior maxilla. This retrospective analysis included the scans of 1000 subjects. Parameters registered were sex, age, number of AC, presence or absence of AC with a diameter <1.0mm, AC diameter (only for AC with a diameter >1.0mm), and AC location in relation to the adjacent teeth. Males showed a statistically higher frequency of AC than females. The difference in age distribution was not statistically significant. Twenty percent of all AC presented a diameter of a least 1.0mm. The end of the AC trajectory was most frequently located palatal to the anterior maxillary teeth. All relationships analyzed here were very weak (age vs. number of AC, age vs. AC diameter, number of AC vs. sex). Overall, the results of this study showed that AC of the canalis sinuosus are a common anatomical structure in the anterior maxilla, regardless of age and sex.