Maxillary Sinus Size Evaluation in Children with Unilateral Cleft Lip Palate Using Cone Beam CT

Objective

To evaluate and compare the maxillary sinus volume (MSV) and its linear measurements in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Single University Dental Clinic.

Patients, Participants: 20 young patients with non-syndromic UCLP before the secondary alveolar bone grafting were recruited in the last quarter of 2023.

Interventions: Cone Beam Computed Tomography. The maxillary sinus of the non-affected side was used as control.

Main outcome Measures: MSV, volume of the anterior and posterior sinus, and maximum length, width and height of the entire sinus, the anterior and posterior part.

Results

MSV was smaller on the cleft side (mean = 10607 mm³, SD = 3538 vs. mean 9864 mm³, SD = 3243, p = .03). The volume of the anterior part of the sinus was smaller on the cleft side (median = 4659 mm³, IQR = 3687–6055 vs. median 3368 mm³, IQR = 2693–5352, p = .001), whereas the posterior part volume was not. The linear measurements (maximum length, width and height) did not reveal significant difference between the cleft and the non-cleft side (entire sinus – anterior - posterior parts). The anterior/posterior height ratio was smaller on the cleft side (mean = 0.991, SD = 0.091 vs. mean 0.931, SD = 0.106, p < .001).

Conclusion

The MSV is significantly smaller on the cleft side in young patients with UCLP. This hypoplasia is significantly associated with the anterior part of the maxillary sinus. Additionally, there are indications of a restricted vertical development of the maxillary sinus on the cleft side.