Imaging Sci Dent.  2019 Mar;49(1):59-63. 10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59.

Maxillary antroliths detected by cone-beam computed tomography in an adult dental population

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Korea. yhjung@pusan.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of maxillary antroliths using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans performed for maxillofacial diagnostic purposes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
CBCT scans of 13,946 patients over the age of 20 were reviewed for maxillary antroliths, and prevalence according to sex, age, and the side of the jaw was calculated. The relationships of single or multiple antroliths with sex, side, and the degree of sinus inflammation were evaluated. The shape and dimension of antroliths were also assessed. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square or Fisher exact tests, and Kendall's tau-b.
RESULTS
A total of 138 (0.99%) of the 13,946 patients showed an antrolith in at least 1 sinus. Only 18 patients presented a bilateral manifestation, which brought the total number of sinuses containing an antrolith to 156 (0.56%). Multiple antroliths were observed in 36 sinuses, and the total number of antroliths was 207: 110 punctate, 65 linear, and 32 amorphous. The antrolith dimensions varied from 1 mm2 to 91 mm2 (average, 10.2±15.5 mm2). No statistically significant differences were found according to sex, side, and age group (P>0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference between the multiplicity of antrolith and the degree of sinus inflammation (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Cone-beam computed tomography is an effective modality for the detection of incidental antroliths. Maxillary antroliths were found to be very rare and were usually asymptomatic. Dentists should have a comprehensive understanding of their diagnosis and treatment in light of possible associated dental problems.

Keyword

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Maxillary Sinus; Korea; Adult

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography*
Dentists
Diagnosis
Humans
Inflammation
Jaw
Korea
Maxillary Sinus
Prevalence

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Examples of types of antroliths and the degree of sinus inflammation. A. A punctate antrolith in a mildly inflamed sinus. B. An amorphous antrolith in a moderately inflamed sinus. C. A linear and an amorphous antrolith in a severely inflamed sinus. D. Multiple antroliths and a root remnant in a severely inflamed sinus.


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