Examination and Relationship of Posterior Superior Alveolar Artery and Canalis Sinuosus Using Cone Beam CT

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the anatomical location, dimensions, and relationships of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) and canalis sinuosus (CS) within the maxilla, aiming to enhance the safety and efficacy of surgical procedures. A retrospective analysis was performed on 323 individual cone beam computed tomography scans. The diameter of the PSAA and CS, the distance of the PSAA from the sinus floor, the distance of the PSAA and CS from the alveolar crest, the distance of the PSAA and CS from the nasal septum, and the distance from CS to the nasal cavity floor were measured. The distance between PSAA and the sinus floor showed no significant difference between the right and left sides nor between genders (p < 0.05). The distance between the alveolar crest of PSAA and the distance between PSAA and to nasal septum was significantly higher on the left than on the right side (p < 0.05). According to gender, female subjects exhibited a lower distance between PSAA and the nasal septum than males (p < 0.05). Variations in PSAA and CS anatomy highlight the need for individualized preoperative CBCT assessment to reduce complications like bleeding during maxillary surgeries, enhancing surgical planning and safety in dental and maxillofacial procedures.

Keywords: anatomy; canalis sinuosus; cone beam computed tomography; maxilla; posterior superior alveolar artery.

Figure 1

Evaluation of PSAA parameters: (a) diameter of PSAA, (b) distance of PSAA from sinus floor, (c) distance of PSAA from alveolar crest, (d) distance of PSAA from midline.

Figure 2

Evaluation of CS parameters: (a) distance to nasal cavity floor from CS, (b) distance to buccal bone from CS, (c) distance to alveolar crest from CS.

Figure 3

Research diagram flow of this study.