The Long Term Follow-up of Maxillary Sinus Retention Cyst

Choi, Sun Myung; Wang, Jong Hwan; Chung, Yoo Sam; Jang, Yong Ju; Lee, Bong Jae

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Retention cyst of the maxillary sinus is a common incidental finding on Waters' view. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the fate of maxillary sinus retention cyst after at least 3-year follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Twenty-five patients diagnosed to have maxillary sinus retention cyst on Waters' view between 1997 to 1999 were asked to revisit for the follow-up Waters' view at least 3 years later. Nine patients complied with the request. Medical records, endoscopic nasal findings, and radiological data of nine patients were reviewed. Cyst size was measured by the 2-dimensional milimeter scale and the relative percentage of the total antral area. RESULTS: The cyst was located in the right maxillary sinus in 4 patients, left in 4, and bilateral in 1. Nine out of ten cysts appeared to arise from the floor of the sinus. The area of the cysts ranged in size from 232 mm2 (ratio 36.4%) to 370 mm2 (55.3%), as measured on Waters' view. Six of the cysts resolved spontaneously, three showed no change in size and only one has enlarged twice the size of initial cyst. The patient with enlarged cyst didn't complain of any specific symptoms. CONCLUSION: The majority of cysts (90%) decreased in size or spontaneously resolved after 3 years. Thus, `wait and see' policy may be appropriate unless associated with specific symptoms.