Investigation of the relationship between craniofacial parameters and maxillary and frontal sinus volumes

The paranasal sinuses are anatomical structures that play a key role in midfacial development and may vary according to different skeletal patterns. Therefore, craniofacial structures should be considered as part of an integrated and dynamic system. This study aimed to examine the relationships between cranial, nasal, maxillary, and mandibular widths and the volumes of the maxillary and frontal sinuses using three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Furthermore, the maxillary-to-mandibular width ratio (maxillary ratio) was calculated and evaluated in relation to craniofacial measurements and sinus volumes. As part of the study, full-head CBCT images archived at Marmara University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, were retrospectively examined. The selected CBCT images were divided into four groups: young women, young men, older women, and older men. Two-dimensional measurements were conducted on DICOM (Digital imaging and communications in medicine) format images obtained from CBCT, while volumetric measurements of the frontal and maxillary sinuses were performed using the Mimics® software program (Materialise NV, Technologielaan, Leuven, Belgium). The acquired data were subjected to statistical analysis.The findings of the study revealed complex and multifaceted interactions between sinus dimensions and craniofacial structures. A particularly significant positive correlation was observed between the maxillary ratio and maxillary sinus volumes in both gender groups. These results underscore the intricate and multidimensional nature of the interactions between craniofacial structures and sinus dimensions