The prevalence and location of the posterior superior alveolar artery in the maxillary sinus wall: A preliminary computed-cone beam study

The lateral wall of the maxillary sinus is supplied by the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA). It may be affected by trauma, pathology, or surgery performed to access or correct any fracture involving the maxillary sinus. This study analysed the prevalence and distance of the PSAA from the floor of the maxillary sinus in selected Southeast Asian patients. Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted using cone-beam computed tomographic images of 83 dentate patients with a mean age of 38.3 years. Results: One hundred sixty-six maxillary sinuses of 54 males and 29 females were evaluated, with PSAA observed in 91.6 % of sinuses. Of the PSAA identified (n = 152), 64.5 % were intraosseous (n = 98), 25.7 % were beneath the sinus membrane (n = 39), and the remaining 15 (9.9 %) were on the external cortex of the lateral sinus wall. The mean distance between PSAA and the lowest point of the sinus floor was 11.44 mm (SD, 3.36). Sixty-four maxillary sinus walls (38.6 %) presented with 2 PSAA branches. The inferior and superior branches were located 6.42 mm (SD, 2.68) and 8.48 mm (SD, 3.56) from the floor of the maxillary sinus, respectively. The mean difference between these 2 branches was 2.25 mm (SD, 1.90). Conclusion: This study confirms the different locations of the PSAA in relation to the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus with no gender influence. Branching of PSAA occurs, and should be highlighted to surgeons.