Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of a sinus lift operation using reoxidised cellulose Surgicel(R) as graft material

Various materials have been used for bone grafts in the sinus lift operatio n, to increase the vertical bone height in the maxilla before the placement of dental implants in the atrophic maxilla. In this case history, Surgicel (R) (oxidised regenerated cellulose) was used as a graft material for one p atient, allowing successful delayed implant placement within new and existi ng bone. The sinus region was examined three months after grafting with Sur gicel(R) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MR images showed that material of similar MR signal to bone had formed within the graft. MRI allo wed us to gain tomographic information of the region without exposure of th e patient to ionising radiation. The formation of bone within the Surgicel R matrix was confirmed at implant placement. This poses interesting questio ns as to the physiology of bone formation within non-particulate graft mate rial, warranting further investigation.