ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to analyse the course of the canalis sinuosus (CS) until its termination in the anterior maxilla and chart its anatomical relationship with surrounding structures using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).MethodsThis study retrospectively analysed 100 CBCT scans (Accuitomo 170, Morita Corp., Kyoto, Japan) of the maxillary sinuses of patients at the Department of Oral Surgery and Stomatology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern. Vertical and horizontal distances between various anatomical structures and the CS were recorded.ResultsThe study included 62 females and 38 males with 45 right‐ and 55 left‐sided CBCTs selected by randomization. The mean age was 55.9 years (range 21–82 years). When comparing right‐ and left‐sided scans, there were statistically significant differences between a number of measurements. These included the most inferior point of the orbital rim and the floor of the nasal cavity (P = 0.04), the origin of the CS and the anterior loop of the descending CS (P = 0.034), and the origin of the CS and floor of the nasal cavity (P = 0.025).ConclusionsThe use of CBCT allowed investigation of the course of the CS as it progresses across the anterolateral wall of the maxillary sinus to be more accurately defined radiographically than has been previously described. There were some statistically significant differences between vertical measurements comparing left and right side, but none for age or gender. The rate of the identification of the CS using CBCT was 100%.

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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01145820; Registered June 16, 2010.