Evaluation of relationship between incidental findings of maxillary sinus on panoramic radiographs and odontogenicpathoses in patients referring to the Radiology Department of Isfahan Faculty of dentistry

Introduction: Given the high prevalence of maxillary sinus lesions and the importance of their early diagnosis and role of radiography in the diagnosis, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between the incidence of incidental maxillary sinus findings on panoramic radiographs and odontogenicpathoses in patients referring to the Radiology Department of Isfahan Faculty of Dentistry.Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 183 panoramic radiographs of patients referring to the Oral and Maxillofacial Department of Isfahan Faculty of Dentistry were selected, using simple sampling technique. Two radiologists simultaneously evaluated radiographs under a similar condition. Prevalence of maxillary sinus lesions and odontogenic lesions on two sides of the maxilla was evaluated and recorded in a special form. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and independent t-test (α=0.05).Results: In 366 sinuses evaluated, there were 60 (16.4%) incidental findings with dental origin and 7 (1.9%) non-incidental findings with non-dental origins; the remaining sinuses were normal. All the non-dental pathoses were mucous retention cysts. Mucous membrane thickening and transportation of the floor of the sinus were the most frequent accidental findings. The most frequent dental reasons were periapical granuloma, horizontal bone loss and severe caries.Conclusion: There was a poor direct relationship between incidental sinus findings and odontogenicpathoses.Key words: Maxillary sinus, Panoramic, Radiography.