Preoperative 3D imaging in maxillary sinus: Brief review of the literature and case report

Objective: The purpose of the present case report is to document the removal of a radix in antro without a hemorrhagic complication in presence of a posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) with a 2.8 mm diameter following a radiographic 3D planning by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. Furthermore, a brief literature overview on studies describing the existence and the variance of the PSAA is provided. Method and Materials: A foreign body removal in the right maxillary sinus was performed on a 33-year-old healthy man by using the lateral window osteotomy. The preoperative CBCT scan showed three arteries in the lateral maxillary sinus wall at a distance of 24.6 mm, 19.5 mm, and 13.5 mm to the alveolar crest. Results: By removing a foreign body out of the maxillary sinus a vessel with a diameter of nearly 3 mm was exposed. Due to CBCT scan planning and the use of piezosurgery it was possible to avoid any damage to the vessel during the operation. The postoperative healing was uneventful and no complications occurred. Conclusion: Although laceration of vessels with a large diameter during lateral window osteotomy is not life-threatening it may compromise visualization and reduces the surgical outcome. Therefore, 3D imaging is recommended for the minimization of intra- and postoperative complications and for the localization of any foreign body in relation to other anatomical structures. This is of special interest in case of anatomical variances of blood vessels. Keywords: complications, cone beam computed tomography, lateral window osteotomy, maxillary sinus, posterior superior alveolar artery, radix in antro, vascularization