Odontogenic Sinusitis: Predictors and Outcomes in Unilateral Maxillary Sinusitis

Erratum: Special Virtual Symposium of the North American Skull Base Society

Background: A unilateral, opacified maxillary sinus has a broad differential diagnosis, including odontogenic sinusitis (ODS). Few studies have determined if there are symptoms or prognostic factors that correlate with maxillary opacification seen on CT that are then predictive of ODS.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify symptoms associated with the ultimate ODS diagnosis.

Study Design: This is a retrospective chart review.

Subjects and Study Methods: A retrospective case series of 94 consecutive patients who required surgery with unilateral sinus disease (USD) with complete maxillary sinus opacification on CT was conducted from August 2019 to August 2020. Patients were identified as having ODS based-off of chart review, radiographic imaging, and operative descriptions. Symptoms were identified based on patient history and SNOT-22 scores. Descriptive statistics, along with a Paired Sampled t-test, were used for data analysis via SPSS 26.

Results: Overall, 34 of 94 patients were found to have ODS. Significant predictors of ODS included nasal obstruction (p = 0.023), foul odor (p = 0.037), and rhinorrhea (p = 0.00) as compared with the rest of the cohort.

Conclusion: ODS represents one-third of unilateral maxillary sinusitis requiring surgery. Compared with the remaining cohort, nasal obstruction, foul odor, and rhinorrhea are significant predictors of ODS. Thus, an odontogenic source of sinusitis should be considered with unilateral maxillary sinus opacification.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
12 February 2021