Research Article

Factors associated with maxillary sinus alveolar crest pneumatization: age, septa, nasal septum deviation, and root-sinus relationships

Volume: 8 Number: 5 September 11, 2026

Factors associated with maxillary sinus alveolar crest pneumatization: age, septa, nasal septum deviation, and root-sinus relationships

Abstract

Aims: To identify factors independently associated with extensive maxillary sinus alveolar crest pneumatization on computed tomography (CT) in a cross-sectional sample. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 800 maxillary quadrants from 400 patients. Pneumatization was classified as normal or extensive, and its associations with demographic, dental, and sinonasal variables were tested by multivariable logistic regression with cluster-robust standard errors. Intra- and inter-observer agreement was quantified on a random subsample of 82 quadrants. Generalized estimating equations and penalized-likelihood (Firth) regression were used as sensitivity analyses. Results: Extensive pneumatization was present in 603 quadrants (75.4%) and was independently associated with age [odds ratio (OR) 0.932 per year; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.908-0.957; p<0.001], maxillary septa (OR 2.235; 95% CI 1.257-3.975; p=0.006), and nasal septum deviation (OR 2.864; 95% CI 1.467-5.594; p=0.002). Tooth count, third molar presence, gender, and ostiomeatal complex patency were not. The model showed modest discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.681; 95% CI 0.636-0.725). Where a root apex projected into the sinus, 88.8% of quadrants showed extensive pneumatization, compared with 58.3% where the roots were distant from the sinus floor. Conclusion: Extensive maxillary sinus pneumatization is more frequent in younger patients and is independently associated with maxillary septa and nasal septum deviation, rather than with tooth count; the association with maxillary septa was attenuated in a generalized estimating equations sensitivity analysis. Root-sinus proximity showed a strong unadjusted association.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUBITAK) under the 2209/A University Students Research Projects Support Program.

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Istinye University Health Sciences Ethics Committee (Protocol No: 25-112; date: 27 June 2024) and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 11, 2026

Submission Date

July 2, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 11, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 5

APA
Kahraman, E. N., Tekin, B., & Yurdaışık, I. (2026). Factors associated with maxillary sinus alveolar crest pneumatization: age, septa, nasal septum deviation, and root-sinus relationships. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, 8(5), 1029-1039. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1982059
AMA
1.Kahraman EN, Tekin B, Yurdaışık I. Factors associated with maxillary sinus alveolar crest pneumatization: age, septa, nasal septum deviation, and root-sinus relationships. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8(5):1029-1039. doi:10.38053/acmj.1982059
Chicago
Kahraman, Emine Nur, Büşra Tekin, and Işıl Yurdaışık. 2026. “Factors Associated With Maxillary Sinus Alveolar Crest Pneumatization: Age, Septa, Nasal Septum Deviation, and Root-Sinus Relationships”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 (5): 1029-39. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1982059.
EndNote
Kahraman EN, Tekin B, Yurdaışık I (September 1, 2026) Factors associated with maxillary sinus alveolar crest pneumatization: age, septa, nasal septum deviation, and root-sinus relationships. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 5 1029–1039.
IEEE
[1]E. N. Kahraman, B. Tekin, and I. Yurdaışık, “Factors associated with maxillary sinus alveolar crest pneumatization: age, septa, nasal septum deviation, and root-sinus relationships”, Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 1029–1039, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.38053/acmj.1982059.
ISNAD
Kahraman, Emine Nur - Tekin, Büşra - Yurdaışık, Işıl. “Factors Associated With Maxillary Sinus Alveolar Crest Pneumatization: Age, Septa, Nasal Septum Deviation, and Root-Sinus Relationships”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8/5 (September 1, 2026): 1029-1039. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1982059.
JAMA
1.Kahraman EN, Tekin B, Yurdaışık I. Factors associated with maxillary sinus alveolar crest pneumatization: age, septa, nasal septum deviation, and root-sinus relationships. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8:1029–1039.
MLA
Kahraman, Emine Nur, et al. “Factors Associated With Maxillary Sinus Alveolar Crest Pneumatization: Age, Septa, Nasal Septum Deviation, and Root-Sinus Relationships”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, vol. 8, no. 5, Sept. 2026, pp. 1029-3, doi:10.38053/acmj.1982059.
Vancouver
1.Emine Nur Kahraman, Büşra Tekin, Işıl Yurdaışık. Factors associated with maxillary sinus alveolar crest pneumatization: age, septa, nasal septum deviation, and root-sinus relationships. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026 Sep. 1;8(5):1029-3. doi:10.38053/acmj.1982059

 

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