Prevalence of the alveolar antral artery and its accessory arteries in cone beam computed tomography scans.

Abstract

Alveolar antral artery (AAA) injury can cause perioperative hemorrhage during osteotomy. Therefore, the aim of study was to assess the prevalence of AAA presence evaluate its characteristics using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).  One hundred maxillary sinuses were evaluated from 70 CBCT scans. The antero-posterior dimension of each sinus was divided into four equal quarters. Artery presence was noted for each section (the main artery). Arterial diameter as well as distance to sinus floor and to alveolar ridge were measured, and the position of the main artery according to its location relative to the lateral sinus wall was determined.  In cases where additional arteries were detected, diameter and position were also determined. Artery prevalence was at 87.0%. In 42% and 8% of the cases respectively, a second and third artery were visualized. No significant association was found between the prevalence of the arteries and age. However, the prevalence of secondary artery among men (56.4%) was significantly higher than in women (32.8%) ( p = 0.02). Moreover, the main artery diameter was significantly different between sections ( p = 0.014), as was its position.  AAA was radiolographically detectable in the majority of studied sinuses. In some cases, two, even three arteries were visible. Arteries with a diameter ≥ 2mm were not frequent. However, arteries exceeding this diameter must be factored in when choosing surgical technique.