Radiologic periodontal findings in paranasal sinus computed tomography scans of chronic rhinosinusitis patients

Abstract

Background: Periodontal diseases are a major public health problem with a 70% prevalence in adults. This retrospective controlled study aimed at studying radiologic periodontal findings in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (sNP). Methodology: Radiologic and patient record data of CRSsNP (n=66) and CRSwNP (n=78) patients undergoing sinus surgery consultation in 2005-18 were used. Chronic rhinitis/oral disease patients served as a control group (n=52). Radiologic periodontal findings referring to chronic periodontitis of maxillary premolar and molar region and Lund-Mackay (LM) scores were analyzed blinded from sinus computed tomography (CT) scans. Results: The prevalence of ≥1 periapical radiolucency was 4.0 % in controls, 14.5% in CRSsNP and 25.4% in CRSwNP group, however this difference became insignificant when adjusted by age. In multivariable linear regression model, the presence of ≥1 other radiologic periodontal finding than periapical radiolucency, was significantly associated with high Total LM score. About half (47%) of the sinus CT scans did not visualize cemento-enamel-junction because of limiting radiation. Conclusions: Radiologic periodontal findings were significantly associated with an increment of Total LM score. Detection of radiologic periodontal findings in CRS patients seems to be possible, if adding the maxillary bone region in sinus CT scans.

Keywords

• computed tomography
• maxillary sinus
• nasal polyps
• paranasal sinus diseases
• periodontitis
• rhinitis
• sinusitis