The frequency of presence of the infraorbital canal in the maxillary sinus and its clinical importance

Objective: The infraorbital canal (IOC) houses critical structures like the infraorbital artery, vein, and nerve, and its atypical location within the maxillary sinus could pose risks during surgical procedures, making it crucial to understand its prevalence and distribution. The study aims to investigate the localization and frequency of the IOC within the maxillary sinus. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed computed tomography (CT) images from 1000 randomly selected patients (500 males, 500 females) aged 18 to 65 years who underwent paranasal region imaging at Istanbul Medipol University Medipol Mega University Hospital between 2015 and 2020. Exclusion criteria included major pathologies, prior surgeries, and poor image quality. The study focused on evaluating the localization of the IOC and its presence within the maxillary sinus, using coronal CT sections. Results: The IOC was found within the maxillary sinus in 8% of cases (44 males, 36 females). This variation was bilateral in 34 cases and unilateral in 46 cases, with no statistically significant relationship between sex and the occurrence or type of variation. The study's findings align with previous research, which reported similar prevalence rates for this anatomical variation. Conclusion: The study confirms that the IOC is located within the maxillary sinus in a significant percentage of cases, emphasizing the importance of preoperative CT evaluation to prevent potential complications during maxillary sinus surgeries. These findings highlight the clinical relevance of considering individual anatomical differences in the localization of the IOC.