Prevalence of Incidental Maxillary Sinus Pathologies in an Egyptian Population Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography. A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Recognizing abnormalities in the maxillary sinus is often overlooked by oral radiologists. It is essential to remain attentive for any possible incidental findings and to be thorough in recognizing and evaluating underlying conditions.Aim of the study: this study was aimed to determine the prevalence of incidental maxillary sinus pathologies among a sample of the Egyptian population through cone beam computed tomography imaging, as well as to evaluate the relationship between sinus abnormalities and demographic factors like age and gender.Methodology: 370 cone beam computed tomography images of Egyptian population aged 18 to 70 years (185 from males and 185 from females) were retrospectively evaluated to identify incidental observations in the maxillary sinus. Examination of the maxillary sinuses were carried out utilizing three orthogonal planes (axial, coronal, and sagittal). Results: In terms of the occurrence of different pathologies, the most frequently observed condition was mucosal thickening, noted in 39.7% of cases and floor invagination was less commonly observed (2.0%). Males exhibited a higher existence of retention cysts and mucosal thickening. Conversely, females had a notably higher incidence of hypoplasia. Sinus opacification, retention cysts, fluid levels, and mucosal thickening were notably more frequent in the older population.Conclusion: A notable occurrence of sinus pathologies was identified, with mucosal thickening being the most frequently observed. Abnormalities in the maxillary sinus highlight the necessity to assess the entire volume of cone beam computed tomography images. Utilizing cone beam computed tomography is advised to ensure precise diagnoses and enhance treatment quality.