Cone-beam Computed Tomographic Analysis to Detect the Association between Primary and Secondary Endodontic Infections and Mucosal Thickness of Maxillary Sinus

Abstract

Introduction: This retrospective study used cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging to evaluate the differences in the mucosal thickness of the Schneiderian membrane in primary and secondary endodontic lesions.

Methods: A total of 121 CBCT scans were analyzed. Clinical features such as sex, age, size and volume of the periapical lesion, dimension of the bone, morphology, and relationship between the roots and the mucosal thickness were recorded and analyzed in primary and secondary endodontic lesions in CBCT sagittal and coronal planes. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and multiple logistic regression (P < .05).

Results: Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in membrane thickness between the primary and secondary lesions in the sagittal and coronal planes (P = .08 and .06). Differences between age groups were statistically significant in both groups (P < .05). The volume of the periapical lesions of the secondary endodontic lesions were statistically greater than that of the primary lesions (P < .05). Mucosal thickness prevalence increased when the volume of the lesion was greater, and the bone dimension was narrower in maxillary second premolars and first and second molars. Teeth with 2 or more affected roots were directly related to increased sinus mucosa thickening.

Conclusions: CBCT images showed no differences in mucosal thickening between primary and secondary endodontic lesions.

Keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography; maxillary sinus; mucosal thickness; primary endodontic infections; secondary endodontic infections.