• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.74-80
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• 2019

Antrolith occurs within the maxillary sinuses and is circumscribed pathologic calcifications formed as a result of mineral salt deposition around an organic nucleus in the maxillary sinus. Radiographically, this lesion is a radiopaque mass showing variable sizes and shapes. Treatment by surgical removal is indicated only for large antrolith associated to clinical symptoms. CBCT should be required for treatment planning for implant-supported restorations in the maxilla because of the higher prevalence of anatomical variations and sinus disease. We report a 3 cases of antrolith which was found incidentally on panoramic images and CBCT, although there were no clinical symptoms.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2019

Purpose: This study evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of maxillary antroliths using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans performed for maxillofacial diagnostic purposes. Materials and Methods: CBCT scans of 13,946 patients over the age of 20 were reviewed for maxillary antroliths, and prevalence according to sex, age, and the side of the jaw was calculated. The relationships of single or multiple antroliths with sex, side, and the degree of sinus inflammation were evaluated. The shape and dimension of antroliths were also assessed. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square or Fisher exact tests, and Kendall's tau-b. Results: A total of 138 (0.99%) of the 13,946 patients showed an antrolith in at least 1 sinus. Only 18 patients presented a bilateral manifestation, which brought the total number of sinuses containing an antrolith to 156 (0.56%). Multiple antroliths were observed in 36 sinuses, and the total number of antroliths was 207: 110 punctate, 65 linear, and 32 amorphous. The antrolith dimensions varied from $1mm^2$ to $91mm^2$ (average, $10.2{\pm}15.5mm^2$). No statistically significant differences were found according to sex, side, and age group (P>0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference between the multiplicity of antrolith and the degree of sinus inflammation (P<0.05). Conclusion: Cone-beam computed tomography is an effective modality for the detection of incidental antroliths. Maxillary antroliths were found to be very rare and were usually asymptomatic. Dentists should have a comprehensive understanding of their diagnosis and treatment in light of possible associated dental problems.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.197-202
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• 1994

The antrolith is a rare disease in the maxillary sinus. We experienced a 67-year-old female whose chief complaint was a intermittent dull pain of clinical, radiological and histological findings, we diagnosed it as antrolith in the left maxillary sinus and obtained results as follows: 1. Three radiopaque substances in the left maxillary sinus was revealed as 'Antroliths'. 2. These antroliths were movable in the left maxillary antrum and combined with maxillary sinusitis. 3. We supposed it internal origin of nidus in this case.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.13-26
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• 2024

Objectives: The aim of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of the ultrastructural and chemical composition of sialoliths, tonsilloliths, and antroliths and to describe their growth pattern. Materials and Methods: We obtained 19 specimens from 18 patients and classified the specimens into three groups: sialolith (A), tonsillolith (B), and antrolith (C). The peripheral, middle, and core regions of the specimens were examined in detail by histology, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: In the micro-CT, group A showed alternating radiodense and radiolucent layers, while group B had a homogeneous structure. Group C specimens revealed a compact homogeneous structure. Histopathologically, group A showed a laminated, teardrop-shaped, globular structure. Group B demonstrated degrees of immature calcification of organic and inorganic materials. In group C, the lesion was not encapsulated and showed a homogeneous lamellar bone structure. SEM revealed that group A showed distinct three layers: a peripheral multilayer zone, intermediate compact zone, and the central nidus area; groups B and C did not show these layers. The main elemental components of sialoliths were O, C, Ca, N, Cu, P, Zn, Si, Zr, F, Na, and Mg. In group B, a small amount of Fe was found in the peripheral region. Group C had a shorter component list: Ca, C, O, P, F, N, Si, Na, and Mg. TEM analysis of group A showed globular structures undergoing intra-vesicular calcification. In group B, bacteria were present in the middle layer. In the outer layer of the group C antrolith, an osteoblastic rimming was observed. Conclusion: Sialoliths had distinct three layers: a peripheral multilayer zone, an intermediate compact zone and the central nidus area, while the tonsillolith and antrolith specimens lacked distinct layers and a core.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2019

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic ability of undergraduate dental students to detect maxillary sinus abnormalities in panoramic radiographs(PR) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study based on the evaluation of PR and CBCT images. A pilot study was conducted to determine the number of students eligible to participate in the study. The images were evaluated by 2 students, and 280 maxillary sinuses were assessed using the following categories: normal, mucosal thickening, sinus polyp, antral pseudocyst, nonspecific opacification, periostitis, antrolith, and antrolith associated with mucosal thickening. The reference standard was established by the consensus of 2 oral radiologists based on the CBCT images. The kappa test, receiver operating characteristic curves, and 1-way analysis of variance with the Tukey-Kramer post-hoc test were employed. Results: Intraobserver and interobserver reliability showed agreement ranging from substantial (0.809) to almost perfect (0.922). The agreement between the students' evaluations and the reference standard was reasonable (0.258) for PR and substantial(0.692) for CBCT. Comparisons of values of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy showed that CBCT was significantly better(P<0.05). Conclusion: CBCT was better than PR for the detection of maxillary sinus abnormalities by dental students. However, CBCT should only be requested after a careful analysis of PR by students and more experienced professionals.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.89-97
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• 1995

The radiographic findings of soft tissue calcification in the oral and maxillofacial area was analysed using panoramic, skull P-A and intraoral radiographs in 250 patients. The obtained results were as follows ; 1. Salivary stone had the highest rate of occurrence at 46％(116 cases), followed by lymph node calcification(97 cases), phleholith(21 cases), multiple miliary osteoma(15 cases), antrolith(l case), vessel calcification(l case) and cysticercosis(1 case). 2. The prevalence of salivary stone was slightly higher in females, on the right side and in the middle-aged group and was especially higher in the submandibular gland(83％). The majority of them were round-shaped, homogeneously radiopaque and associated with sialodochitis. 3. The prevalence of lymph node calcification was higher in the female and old-aged group. Irregular shape and radiopaque bodies were seen in the cervical area, bilaterally. 4. The prevalence of phlebolith was slightly higher in the male, and the third decade group. The radiopaque bodies were 4-8 mm in diameter and had laminated appearance. 5. The prevalence of multiple miliary osteoma was higher in old-aged females. The numerous doughnut-shaped radiopaque bodies, sized 2-4 mm in diameter, were seen bilaterally in the cheek and were usually associated with the edentulous ridge.