Prevalence and Distribution of Maxillary Pathologies Affecting the Maxillary Sinus: A Retrospective Clinical Study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To provide clinical and distributional evidence on the prevalence, demographic patterns, laterality distribution, and symptom profiles of maxillary pathologies with secondary maxillary sinus involvement, and to identify statistically significant associations that may refine clinical assessment and interdisciplinary management. Materials and Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted on 400 consecutive patients surgically treated for maxillary pathologies between 2018 and 2022 at a tertiary referral center. Among them, 165 cases demonstrated radiologically and clinically confirmed maxillary sinus involvement based on OPG, CT, CBCT, and intraoperative assessment when applicable. Demographic characteristics (age and sex), pathology type, laterality of sinus extension, and clinical manifestations (pain, dental involvement, voice alteration, and oral malodor) were systematically recorded. Statistical Analysis Associations between pathology type and categorical variables were evaluated using the chi-square test. Fisher's exact test and Monte Carlo simulation (10,000 resamples; 99% confidence intervals) were applied when appropriate. Effect size was determined using Cramér's V. Statistical significance was set at p  < 0.05. Results Maxillary sinus involvement was identified in 41.25% of surgically treated maxillary lesions. Odontogenic sinus pathology predominated (27.9%), followed by maxillary cysts (21.2%) and trauma-related lesions (20.0%). Significant associations were observed between pathology type and age (χ 2 (21, N  = 165) = 75.55, p  < 0.001; V = 0.391), sex (χ 2 (7) = 22.23, p  = 0.002; V = 0.367), and laterality (χ 2 (14) = 131.998, p  < 0.001; V = 0.632), indicating condition-specific epidemiological patterns. Unilateral involvement was predominant (78.2%). Clinical manifestations demonstrated strong diagnostic associations (all p  < 0.001; large effect sizes), particularly for pain, voice alteration, and oral malodor, whereas dental involvement, despite high prevalence (90.3%), showed limited discriminatory value. Conclusions Maxillary sinus involvement follows pathology-specific epidemiological and clinical patterns rather than random distribution. Odontogenic and inflammatory conditions predominated and were commonly associated with unilateral presentation and distinct symptom patterns. These findings provide clinically relevant insights that may contribute to improved diagnostic assessment and interdisciplinary treatment planning in maxillofacial and dental practice.