Mucopyocele of the maxillary sinus: a case report

Mucoceles are defined as chronic, cystic lesions in the paranasal sinuses. When the mucocele content becomes infected, the lesion is defined as mucopyocele. Involvement of the maxillary sinus is rare. A 26-year-old male patient presented with left-sided facial swelling and nasal obstruction that had a history of six months. He had several episodes of sinus infections treated with antibiotics. His visual acuity was not affected. A computed tomography scan showed complete opacification of the left maxillary sinus with expansion through the medial wall of the antrum and hard palate, and thinning and destruction of the adjacent bony structures. The lesion was excised via a sublabial approach. During surgery, the cystic mass had yellowish color with foul-smelling mucopurulent material. In light microscopy, the cystic mass was diagnosed as mucopyocele.