Prevalence and characterization of maxillary sinus septa in a brazilian population

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the anatomic aspects of the maxillary sinus septa, by means of computed tomography images, in a Brazilian population. The results might be of clinical significance in sinus lift surgery planning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the study, 123 computed tomographs obtained from a private radiology clinic were used. They were analyzed by a single, trained and calibrated observer in order to evaluate the presence, quantity, localizations, dimensions, orientations and different characteristics in dentate, partially edentulous and completely edentulous individuals of the sinus septa. RESULTS: Of the individuals analyzed, 26% had a septum in the maxillary sinus, with 59.6% being classified as complete, 44.2% showed prevalence for the middle region of the maxillary sinus. There was no statistically significant difference between the right and left sides (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients in the sample analyzed presented to septa in the maxillary sinuses, and when septa were present, a higher number of occurrence was noted in the middle region of the maxillary sinus. (This region is normally the choice of sinus lift surgery). There was no predilection relative to age, sex and type of dentition. Key words:Multislice computed tomography, maxillary antrum, anatomic variation.