Background: Mucosal thickening and mucosal antral cyst (MAC) in the maxillary sinus are incidental findings in panoramic radiographs.
Methods: The study sample consisted of 5021 participants in a nationally representative Health 2000 Health Examination Survey using panoramic radiography.
Results: The prevalence of mucosal thickening was 12% and of MACs 7%, both being twice as frequent in men as in women. Mucosal thickening was most common in the 40- to 49-year age group, whereas MACs were most often seen in younger age groups. Pathologic dental findings and root canal treatments were significantly associated with mucosal thickening but not with MACs. The odds ratios of vertical infrabony pockets were 5.2-fold compared with edentulous.
Conclusion: This nationally representative study indicates that dental infections are etiologic for antral mucosal thickening, but not for MACs.
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