ĐẶC ĐIỂM THÀNH XƯƠNG PHÍA NGOÀI XOANG HÀM TRÊN VÀ KÊNH ĐỘNG MẠCH XƯƠNG Ổ TRÊN SAU TRÊN PHIM CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY Ở NGƯỜI VIỆT

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the anatomical characteristics and spatial location of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) canal on CBCT in Vietnamese adults, including quantitative measurements and associations with anatomical variables, in order to provide reference data for maxillary sinus surgery planning. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 CBCT scans (400 maxillary sinuses) obtained from Nguyen Trai CT Center. The presence, diameter, position, and distances from the PSAA to surrounding anatomical landmarks were recorded. Results: The PSAA was identified in 57% of maxillary sinuses. The mean diameter on both sides was 0.97 mm, with 99% of canals < 2 mm. No significant differences in prevalence were observed between sexes or age groups. Most canals (80.9%) were located between the sinus membrane and the lateral sinus wall. Mean distances from the canal to the alveolar crest were 17.49 ± 2.72 mm (right) and 17.14 ± 4.11 mm (left); to the sinus floor: 8.61 ± 2.5 mm (right), 8.49 ± 3.3 mm (left); and to the medial sinus wall: 15.6 ± 2.88 mm (right), 15.48 ± 4.03 mm (left). The canal followed an inferiorly concave course, lowest near the first molar region. Conclusion: The prevalence of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) was 57%, which is lower than several international reports but still within the documented global range. Although the arterial canal is small (< 2 mm), it remains clinically relevant because injury may lead to significant bleeding. The mean distances from the PSAA to the alveolar crest (~17 mm) and to the sinus floor (~8.5 mm) are comparable to international data, underscoring the importance of preoperative CBCT evaluation to determine a safe window location for sinus-related procedures.