When treating the maxillary antrum, which organ is at the greatest risk for damage?

The lens of the eye is considered to be at the greatest risk for damage when treating the maxillary antrum. This is primarily due to the anatomical proximity of the maxillary sinus to the orbit, where the lens is located. Radiation therapy directed towards the maxillary antrum can inadvertently expose the lens to radiation dose, which may lead to cataract formation or other ocular complications.

While the other organs listed are relevant in the context of head and neck radiation therapy, they are generally located either further away or are not as susceptible to the specific field of treatment when the maxillary antrum is involved. The pituitary gland and the brain, although important structures, are positioned at a greater distance from the target area than the lens. The sphenoid sinus is also quite close, but it does not carry the same risk of direct radiation-induced damage as the lens due to the critical nature of vision and the established relationship between radiation exposure and cataract development. Thus, the lens is recognized as the organ at the highest risk during such treatments.