Diagnostic criteria of maxillary sinus hypoplasia using cone-beam computed tomography

Objective. To evaluate the diagnostic significance of X-ray criteria of maxillary sinus hypoplasia. Material and methods. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data of 553 patients (1006 maxillary sinuses) with dental and ENT pathology from Minsk outpatient clinics, were studied. The morphometric parameters of 23 maxillary sinuses with radiological signs of hypoplasia, as well as orbits on the affected side, were analyzed. The maximum linear dimensions were measured using the tools of the CBCT viewer. The convolutional neural network technology was applied for maxillary sinus semi-automatic segmentation. Results. The reliable radiological signs of hypoplasia of the maxillary sinus are a two-fold decrease in its height and/or width relative to the corresponding dimensions of the orbit, a high level of location of the inferior wall of the sinus, displacement of its medial wall to the lateral side, anterolateral wall asymmetry in association with unilateral hypoplasia, as well as lateralization of the uncinate process and ethmoid infundibulum with narrowing of ostial passage. Conclusion. In unilateral hypoplasia, the volume of the sinus is reduced by 31-58% compared to the contralateral side.