As otorhinolaryngologists, we are trained to examine the computed tomography (CT) scans of all patients with maxillary chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) for potential dental disease. The mainstay of managing this is generally limited to referring the patient to their dentist or maxillofacial surgeon, await treatment, and then deal with any residual CRS issues. This insightful book provides a valuable insight into the synergy between dental disease, its treatment and sinonasal disease.
The book is well structured into distinct chapters, with high-quality images used throughout. The first chapter provides a nice revision of paranasal sinus anatomy and physiology, which is useful even if some of it is not directly relevant to dental disease. The second chapter explores radiological diagnostic options; I found the section on interpreting orthopantograms particularly helpful. The section on cone beam CT is interesting, although not freely available to most rhinologists in the UK. The third chapter teaches us of sinogenic complications of dental treatment. The 3% incidence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo following osteotomies for sinus lift procedures was a particularly interesting and relevant finding.
The fourth and fifth chapters delve into the pathophysiology and medical management of odontogenic CRS; this is relevant to general otorhinolaryngologists and specialist rhinologists alike. However, the sixth and largest chapter is of most interest to the specialist rhinologist as it delves into the surgical treatment options for recalcitrant cases. The colour intraoperative photographs in this chapter are supplemented by clear online videos; one particularly helpful feature is that the access code is printed clearly and not hidden behind an easily damaged scratch panel. The details of some advanced endoscopic sinus surgery procedures, such as medial maxillectomy, are glossed over but this information is easily available in excellent dedicated textbooks. I found the final chapter, detailing contraindications to dental treatments helpful, as rhinologists are not infrequently referred patients awaiting complex maxillary sinus grafting and asked to assess for or treat pre-existing sinus conditions.
This book is not cheap, although the price on Amazon has dropped recently. The general otorhinolaryngologist will likely refer these patients on to a specialist and therefore would find it difficult to justify the cost. Overall, I feel this book is useful and recommended for the specialist rhinologist, especially one working in a hospital with a maxillofacial department.
