Maxillary Sinus Flashcards
What are the different air sinus present in the skull?
Frontal
Ethmoid
Sphenoid
Maxillary
When does formation of the sinuses occur?
During 3rd and 4th foetal months, with evaginations of the mucosa of the nasal cavity
Which sinuses are most well formed at birth?
Maxillary and ethmoid
-> others undergo expansion in first few years of life
What are the functions of the sinuses?
Provide resonance to the voice
Reserve chambers for warming inspired air
Reduce the weight of the skull
Which sinuses are the largest?
Maxillary
-> pyramid shaped cavity in both sides of maxilla
What are the dimensions of the maxillary sinus?
Volumetric space- 15ml in average adult
Average dimensions:
37mm high
27mm wide
35mm antero-posteriorly
What is the name for the opening of the maxillary sinus and where is it located?
Ostium- located in the medial wall and opens into middle meatus at the hiatus semilunaris
-> approx 4mm in diameter
What can disease and inflammation within the sinus do to the ostium?
Cause blockage or narrowing
Where is the alveolar canal found, what is contained within it?
Posterior wall of sinus cavity
-> contains posterior superior alveolar nerves and vessels
How are the roots of the teeth related to the floor of maxillary sinus?
Roots of maxillary molars and sometimes premolars may project into the floor of the maxillary sinus
The roots may perforate the bone so that only the mucosal lining of the sinus covers them
Which type of epithelium lines the maxillary sinus?
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
What are the functions of cilia in maxillary sinus?
Mobilise trapped particulate matter and foreign material within the sinus
-> cilia beat to move this material toward the ostia for elimination into the nasal cavity
What are the potential dental related pathologies associated with the maxillary sinus?
Oro-Antral Communication (OAC)- Acute
Oro-Antral Fistula (OAF)- Chronic
Root in the antrum
Sinusitis
Benign Lesions
Malignant Lesions
When can an OAC occur?
When roots are closely associated/perforate sinus and extraction causes communication (breaking bone or lining) between maxillary sinus and oral cavity
What are the clinical signs of an OAC?
Splayed roots/trifurcations (problematic)- you may see bone on removal
Bubbling of blood in socket- air coming from socket
Nose holding test- hold nose and get patient to blow (be gentle as this can tear the lining)
Direct vision- seen as black hole
Echo on suction
Prolapsed lining coming through into socket
What aspects on radiographs or clinical examination suggest an OAC is more likely to occur?
Lone standing molars (predictor for OAC or fractured tuberosity)
Bone of sinus may be wrapped around/closely associated with tooth roots
How are small OACs managed?
Inform patient
If less than 2mm:
Encourage clot
Suture margins
Which post-op instructions are given following the closure of an OAC?
Avoid blowing nose, avoid balloons, avoid singing, avoid sucking through straws (avoid extra pressure)
How are larger OACs managed?
Closed with buccal advancement flap- 3 sided 2 relieving (less flared than normal) and one crestal
How is a buccal advancement flap carried out?
Raise full thickness-incise periosteum with 15 blade to loosen
Bring flap across communication with minimal tension (should stay in position freely)
Buccal bone may need to be trimmed
Suture- previously using silk stitches (2 weeks), now dissolvable can be used (may loosen too soon)
1st stitch- tacking, then placed on relieving incisions etc (aiming for primary closure)
What can occur to the sulcus when you take a BAF?
It can reduce in depth