Utilizing a Novel AI Tool to Detect the Posterior Superior Alveolar Artery's Location's Impact on Maxillary Sinus Mucosal Thickening in the Presence of Periapical Lesions

• Published in: Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Vol. 60; no. 1; p. 140
• Main Authors: Aboelmaaty, Wael, Alfadley, Abdulmohsen, Awawdeh, Mohammed, Sapri, Ahmed Saaduddin, Awawdeh, Lama, Mira, Eman Shawky
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01-01-2024
• Subjects: Accuracy; AI tool; Algorithms; Arteries; Artificial Intelligence; CT imaging; Dental implants; Equipment and supplies; eVol DXS; Health aspects; Humans; Image processing; Maxillary Sinus - diagnostic imaging; Medical imaging; Medical imaging equipment; mucosal thickening; Patients; PSAA location; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Sinus Floor Augmentation; Sinuses; Sinusitis; Software; Surgery; Teeth; Tomography; Veins & arteries; Saudi Arabia; AI tool; PSAA location; mucosal thickening; eVol DXS
• ISSN: 1648-9144; 1010-660X; 1648-9144
• DOI: 10.3390/medicina60010140

Periapical lesions have been implicated in sinus-related complications, but the precise influence of anatomical variations in the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) on mucosal thickening remains an uncharted aspect. The new AI tool employed in this research utilizes advanced image processing algorithms to enhance image visualization.
: This study examines the accuracy of a new cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) software (eVol DXS, version 1.0.1.0) employing AI to detect the PSAA's location and the effect of that on maxillary sinus thickening in the presence of periapical lesions.
This retrospective study included 120 CBCT cases with posterior maxillary periapical lesions and 120 without odontogenic infections. Teeth with proximity (<2 mm) to the sinus were excluded in both groups to eliminate the sinus floor's perforation effect. Both the PSAA locations and maxillary sinus thickening were classified and compared.
: The mucosal thickening differs significantly (
< 0.001) between the study group and the control group. The study showed that an increased sinus thickness occurred when the PSAA was beneath the sinus membrane in the study group (62.5% compared to 8.6%;
< 0.001 *). The AI tool helped to achieve a 100% identification rate in determining the PSAA locations.
AI algorithms for PSAA localization, which affects mucosal thickness in response to periapical lesions, yield excellent results.