Review article

Maxillary sinus disease of odontogenic origin

This review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the current applications of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and other imaging modalities in diagnosing odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (OMS). Furthermore, the clinical operation procedures of radiography modalities in OMS diagnosis were summarized, with the goal of assisting clinicians in improving OMS diagnostic accuracy in clinical practice.

A comprehensive review of researches that discussed the applications of radiography modalities in the diagnosis of OMS was conducted. Pertinent information was evaluated and organized for this review.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers a superior, high-resolution, and three-dimensional view of the maxillary tooth-bone-sinus complex compared to conventional radiography modalities. It enables a better understanding and classification of the spatial relationships between root apices/periapical lesions and maxillary sinus. The use of CBCT, combined with the advantages of other radiography modalities and proper image interpretation, is indispensable to enhance OMS diagnostic accuracy and mitigate the risk of missed or misdiagnosis.

The significance of CBCT in the diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial conditions has garnered widespread recognition. It provides highly precise diagnostic information and classification basis for OMS. The clinical operation procedures for imaging examination are essential in ensuring the consistency and reliability of the diagnosis.

Odontogenic infections are common and a topic of core interest for dentists, and maxillofacial surgeons. The aim of this study was to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the global literature on odontogenic infection and explore the top 100 most cited papers to identify the common causes, sequelae and management trends.

Following a comprehensive literature search, a list of top 100 most cited papers was created. The VOSviewer software (Leiden University, The Netherlands) was used to create a graphical representation of the data, and statistical analyses were performed to analyze the characteristics of the top 100 most cited papers.

A total of 1,661 articles were retrieved with the first article published in 1947. There is an exponential upward trend on the number of publications (R² = 0.919) and a majority of papers are in English language (n = 1,577, 94.94%). A total of 22,041 citations were found with a mean of 13.27 per article. The highest number of publications were recorded from developed countries. There was a male predilection in the reported cases and the most common sites included the submandibular and parapharyngeal spaces. Diabetes mellitus was identified as the commonest co-morbidity. Surgical drainage was ascertained to be the preferred method of management.

Odontogenic infections remain prevalent and have a global distribution. Although prevention of odontogenic infection through meticulous dental care is ideal, early diagnosis and prompt management of established odontogenic infections is important to avoid morbidities and mortality. Surgical drainage is the most effective management strategy. There is lack of consensus regarding the role of antibiotics in the management of odontogenic infections.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and risk factors of maxillary sinusitis of endodontic origin (MSEO) on posterior maxillary teeth evaluated using dynamic navigation and a novel filter of cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging.

CBCT scans of 453 patients (814 teeth) were selected. Data were divided into 4 groups: (1) root canal treatment (RCT), (2) relation of the root apex to the maxillary sinus, (3) apical periodontitis (AP), and (4) maxillary sinus inflammation (no inflammation, periapical osteoperiostitis, periapical mucositis, partial obstruction, or total obstruction). Frequency distribution and cross-tabulation were used for data analysis. The association of maxillary sinus abnormalities with other variables was analyzed using the chi-square test. The significance level was set at 5%, and the association between dependent and independent variables was analyzed using robust Poisson regression models.

MSEO was found in 65.6% of the cases, and the highest frequency rates were in the periapical mucositis (44%) and partial obstruction (15.8%) groups. The rates of risk factors were highest in the cases of RCT (54.9%), AP (34.3%), and the root apex in contact with the maxillary sinus (53.8%). The most frequent sex and age group were female (55.8%) and 41–50 years (30.5%).

The frequency of MSEO was high and positively associated with RCT, AP, and the root apex’s position in contact with the floor of the maxillary sinus. The maxillary sinus filter of the CBCT software provides a clear image of maxillary sinus abnormalities.

This article shows the follow-up of several cases of maxillary sinusitis of dental (usually endodontic) origin, with different manifestations, diagnostic challenges, and outcomes.Cases from 14 patients from 3 countries and treated by 7 different endodontists are presented, all of them with inflammatory sinus changes represented by mucositis, osteoperiostitis, and/or partial/full obstruction. All cases showed dental and/or sinus signs/symptoms that resolved after dental management. In 13 cases, the sinus condition had an endodontic origin, 4 of them concurrently with periodontal involvement. In 1 case, sinusitis was caused by trauma to the face. All cases but 1 had a satisfactory response of the periradicular tissues and maxillary sinus to treatment that consisted of root canal therapy, root amputation, extraction, or trauma management.The successful management of most cases reported in this article emphasizes the importance of endodontics as a specialty engaged in saving teeth and promoting health not only in the oral cavity but also in other areas that may be affected by infections of endodontic origin, including the maxillary sinus.

Endodontic disease is one of the most common causes of bacterial odontogenic sinusitis (ODS). Diagnosing ODS of endodontic origin involves otolaryngologists confirming sinusitis, and dental specialists confirming endodontic sources. The purpose of this study was to conduct a multidisciplinary literature review to highlight clinical and microbiological features of ODS, and the most optimal diagnostic modalities to confirm endodontic disease.

An extensive review of both medical and dental literature was performed by rhinologists, endodontists, and an infectious disease specialist. Frequencies of various clinical and microbiological features from ODS studies were collected, and averages were calculated. Different endodontic testing and imaging modalities were also evaluated on their abilities to confirm endodontic disease.

ODS patients most often present with unilateral sinonasal symptoms for over 3 months, purulence on nasal endoscopy, and overt dental pathology on computed tomography (CT). Subjective foul smell, and maxillary sinus cultures demonstrating anaerobes and α-streptococci (viridans group) may be more specific to ODS. For endodontic evaluations, cold pulp testing and cone-beam CT imaging are most optimal for confirming pulpal and periapical disease.

Diagnosing ODS requires collaboration between otolaryngologists and dental specialists. Clinicians should suspect ODS when patients present with unilateral sinonasal symptoms, especially foul smell. Patients will generally have purulent drainage on nasal endoscopy, and both sinus opacification and overt dental pathology on CT. However, some patients will have subtle or absent dental pathology on CT. For suspected endodontic disease, endodontists should be consulted for at least cold pulp testing, and ideally cone-beam CT.

The successful management of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (OMS) involves a combination of medical treatment with dental surgery and/or endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). However, there is no consensus for the optimal timing of ESS. Although several studies have emphasized dental surgery as the primary treatment modality for OMS, there is recent evidence to suggest that ESS alone may be an effective treatment approach.

The purpose of this study is to retrospectively investigate the pathophysiology of the current intractable OMS and the role ESS, especially ESS preceding dental treatment, plays in its pathophysiology.

Ninety-seven adults (60 males and 37 females, 48 ± 12 years) who underwent ESS for intractable OMS were retrospectively examined.

In a great deal of the cases (85 cases, 87.6%), causative teeth of OMS were periapical lesions after root canal treatment (endodontics). The root canal procedures were not sufficient; hence, the root-canal-treated teeth had periapical lesions causing OMS.

In postoperative nasal endoscopy and cone-beam CT scans for all patients, the natural ostiums and the membranous portions of the maxillary sinuses were enlarged and the ostiomeatal complexes remained widely open. The ventilation and drainage of all patients’ maxillary sinuses seemed to be successfully restored.

Temporary acute sinusitis recurrence after primary ESS for OMS was observed in 10 cases (11.8%) when the patients caught a cold. However, since the natural ostium and the membranous portion of the maxillary sinuses and the ostiomeatal complexes remained widely open, antibiotic administration alone without dental treatment cured the temporary acute sinusitis.

Regarding the causative teeth (endodontic treated teeth), in 83 out of 85 cases (97.6%), causative teeth were able to be preserved with only antibiotic treatment and without dental retreatment. In two cases, extraction of the teeth was necessary because the teeth became mobile. Regarding the causative teeth after dental restoration, in 2 out of 2 cases (100%), causative teeth were able to be preserved with antibiotic treatment alone.

ESS is highly indicated for OMS requiring surgery. The treatment results of intractable OMS are exceptionally good once the ventilation and drainage of the maxillary sinus is successfully restored after surgery. Consequently, ESS can be considered the first-line therapy for intractable OMS caused by root canal treatment (endodontics) and dental restoration, followed by close dental follow-up and dental treatment when necessary.