Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Evaluation of the Maxillary Sinus in Different Craniofacial Patterns

ObjectivesEvaluation of maxillary sinus dimensions and volume and correlation with different craniofacial patterns. MethodsThis study was done on 67 maxillofacial CBCT scans. Cases were classified skeletally according to Jarabak's ratio, into 3 groups: normal, hyperdivergent / long facial pattern, and hypodivergent / short facial growth pattern. Maxillary sinus dimensions were analyzed as sinus height, width, depth, and volume. All data were collected, tabulated, and subjected to statistical analysis.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference between the three craniofacial groups regarding the height and the width of the maxillary sinus, while sinus depth and volume were statistically non-significant. The correlation between maxillary sinus dimensions and the three craniofacial types was of very weak strength so statistically non-significant. Group 2 (hyper-divergent growth pattern) had statistically significantly lower mean height value and higher mean width value than the other two groups. The difference between the mean height values of group 1 (Normal growth pattern) and group 3 (hypo-divergent growth pattern) was statistically non-significant. The difference between the mean width values of group 2 and group 3 was statistically almost significant. There was no statistically significant difference in depth or volume between either of any two groups.ConclusionWhile comparing maxillary sinus dimensions with the craniofacial patterns, sinus height and width are statistically significantly different, while sinus depth and volume are statistically non-significant. However, there is a weak Correlation between maxillary sinus dimensions and the craniofacial patterns.