A proposed new classification of maxillary sinus using panoramic radiograph

Abstract

Maxillary sinus is the largest among the paranasal sinus which is of surgical clinical and anthropological significance. Classification of maxillary antrum based on shapes and sizes using panoramic radiography have not been developed till date. Different shapes and sizes of maxillary antrum were taken into notice while tracing orthopantomogram. As panoramic radiograph is the most commonly available and feasible technology, a deeper study of this topic felt compelling.: To classify maxillary antrum based on its shape, presence of septa, shape of the floor and presence of recess employing digital panoramic radiographs. A total of 1000 panoramic radiographs available in soft copies in Department of Oral Radiology, Sree Anjaneya Institute of Dental Sciences were analysed for developing this classification. The panoramic radiographs were taken using KODAK 8000 carestream machine with exposure parameters 73kVp, 12mA, 13.9 seconds. The shapes identified included cloudy, rectangle, round, trapezoidal, square, ovoidal, pentagonal, hexagonal. In which cloudy marked the highest and hexagonal the least. Among the maxillary sinuses observed a few showed septations. The sinus floor contours observed comprised scalloped, wavy, curved, straight and v-shaped. Out of which a few showed recess. This is a proposed new classification of maxillary antrum using Panoramic radiograph. From this study, eight distinct shapes of the maxillary sinus were identified, wherein cloudy type was predominant and hexagonal was the least commonest. Only a few had sepatations and recess. Six distinct shapes of floor were identified, of which scalloped marked the highest.