Association of Inflammatory Status and Maxillary Sinus Schneiderian Membrane Thickness

Certain Schneiderian membrane thicknesses (SMT) have shown to be more prone to tearing/perforation, and some pathologies might influence SMT. Henceforth, we aimed at studying the correlation of inflammatory status to SMT in human fresh cadaver heads. A total of 14 fresh cadaver heads including 27 Schneiderian membrane specimens were histologically collected. A 10-item inflammatory score was determined in the entire sample and also in the thinner and thicker areas of each sample. Data was analyzed by using the Wilcoxon rank test and the Spearman's rank correlation. The mean measured SMT was 0.40 +/- 0.12 mm and the median was 0.33 +/- 0.12 mm. A weak positive correlation was found between the mean SMT and inflammation score without a statistical significance. (r = 0.385, p = 0.115). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed a statistical difference between the medians of the thinner and thicker areas (p < 0.001). The mean inflammation score of the thinner and thicker areas was 8.55 +/- 2.57 and 11.61 +/- 2.65, respectively. A moderate positive and statistically significant correlation was found between the inflammation score and the thickness of the thinner and thicker areas (r = 0.638, p = 0.000). A moderate association between the Schneiderian membrane thickness and the level of inflammation exists.