Presence of anaerobic bacteria and symptoms supports diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the diagnostic indicators of odontogenic sinusitis other than computed tomography (CT) findings and the history of dental treatment such as detected bacteria and symptoms.

Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 87 patients who underwent surgery for unilateral sinusitis between 2016 and 2020 (n = 87). Patients with cysts and fungal sinusitis were excluded from the study. We analyzed the relationship between the presence/absence of CT findings such as periapical lesions and oroantral fistulas; anaerobic bacteria; and symptoms in patients with unilateral sinusitis.

Results: There was a significant correlation between the detection of anaerobes and CT findings. Peptostreptococcus sp., Prevotella sp., Streptococcus anginosus group, and Fusobacterium sp. were the most commonly isolated species. Detection of these anaerobic bacteria supports the diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis. Moreover, ODS often present with symptoms, such as a foul smell and facial pain.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that not only the presence of CT findings such as PAL and OAF, but the detection of anaerobic bacteria, and the presence of any symptoms may aid in the diagnosis of ODS.

Keywords: Anaerobic bacteria; Odontogenic sinusitis; Unilateral sinusitis.