This work aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) through an observational study with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.
Method:
Eighty-eight images from patients who underwent CBCT imaging for upper jaw were evaluated in order to correlate the prevalence of PSAA with the age of the patients and side of occurrence. The patients were divided in three groups of ages as follow: 12-37; 38-63 and 64-88 years old. The images were taken with the Newtom 3G (ImageWorksTM) scanner, with FoV 9” (15cm) and voxel size of 0.2mm. The DICOM files were analyzed with the Newtom NNT software (ImageWorksTM) using a monitor video of 1280X1024 of resolution in a dark room. Firstly, the coronal slices of all images were evaluated searching for radiolucent dots compatible with PSAA located in the lateral walls of both maxillary sinus. When the dots were found, radiolucent lines were identified on the saggital slices corresponding to same anatomical location of the radiolucent dots found previously on the coronal slices.
Result:
The results were analyzed with the Qui-square estatistical test with a significant level of 5%. It was possible to identified images compatible with the PSAA in 56% of the sample. It was found a statistical correlation between the third group of age (64-88) with the highest prevalence of PSAA (p<0.05). The prevalence of PSAA in both sides of the maxilla was statistically higher than when it was found in only one side (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
It was possible to observer images compatible with PSAA in more than half of the sample, showing its relevance for implant surgery planning, mainly in molar areas.