Morphometric Comparison of Alveolar Antral Artery in Patients With Cleft Palate/Lip and Control Group Using CBCT Images.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the morphometric characteristics of the alveolar antral artery (AAA) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images in individuals with unilateral and bilateral cleft lip/palate (CLP) and noncleft (NC) individuals.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using CBCT images from 100 patients with CLP (78 unilateral and 22 bilateral) and 100 NC individuals. Coronal images were analyzed to determine the presence and diameter of the AAA, its mediolateral position relative to the lateral wall of the maxillary sinus, and its distances from the alveolar crest (AC) and maxillary sinus floor (MSF) in the regions of the first premolar, second premolar, first molar, and second molar. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests to evaluate differences among the groups.ResultsThe presence of AAA was higher in NC individuals (83.5%) compared to patients with CLP (70.7% in UCLP and 51.7% in BCLP), with no significant difference between unilateral and bilateral CLP groups. No significant differences were found in the AAA diameter among the three groups (P > .60). The AAA was positioned closer to the AC and MSF in individuals with CLP than in NC individuals, with statistically significant differences (P < .05), except in the first premolar region. Additionally, the mediolateral position of the AAA did not differ significantly among the groups, with the intraosseous position being the most common.ConclusionAAA was located closer to the AC and MSF in individuals with CLP. This anatomical variation may have implications for surgical planning, warranting careful preoperative assessment.