Evaluation of osteomeatal complex by cone-beam computed tomography in patients with maxillary sinus pathology and nasal septum deviation

Background This study aimed to determine if there is a relationship between the presence of maxillary sinus pathology, nasal septum deviation and various lengths of the osteomeatal complex. Methods A total of 223 CBCT images were included in the study. The lengths of the osteomeatal complex (maxillary sinus ostium width, infundibulum length, maxillary sinus ostium height) were analyzed. The presence of maxillary sinus pathology, nasal septum deviation, age, sex, right-left, septum deviation level, and the relationship between pathology level and all variables were evaluated. Results The average maxillary sinus ostium width, ostium height and infundibulum length were 3.06 +/- 0.70 mm, 30.10 +/- 5.43 mm and 8.82 +/- 1.86 mm, respectively. Ostium width was significantly higher in the healthy group than in the groups evaluated in the presence of deviation and pathology. A significant difference was found in infundibulum length only between the healthy condition and the condition evaluated in the presence of deviation. No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of ostium height. In all groups, ostium height and infundibulum length were significantly higher in men than in women. The age group with the highest average ostium height was found in the 35-44 age group (p < 0.001). Conclusion Identifying normal and abnormal conditions in the osteomeatal complex area is important for diagnosing the cause of a patient's complaint, guiding the surgical procedures to be performed, and preventing possible complications that may arise during surgical procedures.