Maxillary sinus mucoceles: clinical presentation and long-term results of endoscopic surgical treatment

To describe the clinical presentation of maxillary sinus mucoceles, understand their pathogenesis, and determine the long-term efficacy of the endoscopic surgical treatment.

Retrospective review.

Thirteen consecutive patients who presented with maxillary sinus muco(pyo) celes were studied. Subjects with history of preceding sinus/nasal surgery or facial trauma were excluded. The presenting signs and symptoms, radiological findings, and surgical management were reviewed.

There were six women and seven men with an age range of 31 to 71 years. Two patients had environmental allergies. Nine patients complained of cheek pressure or pain, six of nasal obstruction, and eight of nasal drainage. On endoscopic nasal examination, the medial wall of maxillary sinus was bulging with prolapsed middle meatal mucosa in 10; drainage was seen in 7, but none had polyps. The sinus involvement was limited to the maxillary sinus and the ipsilateral ethmoid on computed tomographic studies in 10 cases. Patients were treated with endoscopic ethmoidectomy, middle meatal antrostomy, and marsupialization of the mucocele. Intraoperative cultures grew organisms in five patients. Postoperative follow-up ranged between 10 and 66 months. Two patients required lysis of adhesions in the middle meatus, and one, revision antrostomy. All patients had a patent middle meatal antrostomy and healthy maxillary sinus mucosa at latest follow-up. The presenting symptoms resolved or improved in 12 cases.

The etiology of maxillary sinus mucoceles is not well understood. Mechanical obstruction or allergy or both do not seem to play an important role. An infectious origin is also not supported by the above data. Endoscopic sinus surgery is a reliable therapeutic measure with a favorable long-term outcome.