Methods: Our study focuses on differences between maxillary sinus sizes in growing CLP patients (CVMS 1-2-3) and age-matched controls. We measured orthopanthomograms(OPG) of 14 unilateral cleft (12 left-sided and 2 right-sided) and 11 non-cleft patients, to define asymmetries. These measurements are accepted widely, because the distortion on OPG is negligible in this dimension. We analyzed the region of the sinus in both sides by computer software (Osirix). Because of the different resolution of digital radiographs, all measurements were made in pixels. Cases were characterized by a ratio of the healthy side to the affected side.In the control group we compared the right sinus to the left one. The resulting index(r) is more informative than the absolute differencesdefined in milimeters.
Results: We did not find any difference between the subgroups, so for the analysis no subgroups were defined. We used non-parametric methods since data did not follow normal distribution.For the comparisons Mann- Whitney U test was used. The size differences betweenaffected and healthy sinuses of the CLP patients was significant (r=0.85, p=0.01). In contrary with this, the ratio between two sinus sizes of the controls (r=1) presented an unnoticeable difference.
Conclusion: Our results point out the importance ofpreventive treatments - such as maxillary expansion - in CLP patients, to reduce the size difference of sinuses and, in turn to reduce the risk of chronic sinusitis what is important for both orthodontic and oto-laryngologic fields of treatment .