Radio-opaque structures in the lumen of the maxillary sinus--value of computerized tomography in the diagnosis of maxillary aspergillosis

11 patients with radio-opaque concrements in the sinus maxillaris underwent a preoperative computerized tomographic examination of the sinus maxillaris and the sinus concrements. 8 patients (72.7%) with the occurrence of radio-opaque concrements presented postoperative a histological and microbiological infection with aspergillus fumigatus. The CT-numbers of radio-opaque concrements in patients with aspergillus were 2802 +/- 302.4 HU (Hounsfield Unit). Concrements of patients without aspergillus infection (n = 3) had lower density (368.6 +/- 149.1 HU; p < 0.001). The root filling materials showed nearly the same CT-numbers in patients with aspergillus infection (2537 +/- 398.5 HU) and in patients without aspergillus infections (2544.3 +/- 460.6 HU). Density of root filling material was at the same level as density of radiopaque concrements in patients with aspergillus infections. According to CT-examinations a direct connection between root filling materials and aspergillus infection was noted. Therefore in patients with radio-opaque concrements computerized tomographic examination helps to determine the kind of sinus infection.