Primary Mucoceles of the Maxillary Sinus

Song, Hyung Min; Park, Hyung Wook; Chung, Yoo Sam; Jang, Yong Ju; Lee, Bong Jae

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Maxillary sinus mucoceles are usually developed long after Caldwell-Luc's operation, which are known as postoperative cheek cysts and common in Korea. However, primary mucoceles of the maxillary sinus are relatively rare compared to frontal or ethmoid sinus mucoceles. This study aims to describe the clinical manifestation of the primary maxillary sinus mucoceles and to determine the long-term efficacy of the surgical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Seven cases, comprised of 2 women and 5 men with an age range of 23 to 72 years, finally diagnosed as primary maxillary sinus muco (pyo)celes between March 1995 and July 2004 were studied. The presenting signs and symptoms, radiological findings, and surgical management were retrospectively reviewed.
RESULTS
All patients complained of nasal obstruction, while only one patient had cheek pressure and pain. In the endoscopic nasal examination, the medial wall of maxillary sinus was bulging with prolapsed middle meatal mucosa in 6 cases. Five patients were treated with endonasal endoscopic sinus surgery and two with sublabial approach. Intraoperative cultures grew organisms in four patients. In all patients, the middle meatal antrostomy openings were patent without recurrence at the latest follow-up ranging from 11 to 47 months.
CONCLUSION
A primary maxillary sinus mucocele appears as a bulging medial wall with unilateral nasal obstruction. Endoscopic sinus surgery is a reliable therapeutic measure with lesser morbidity and favorable long-term outcome.