Odontogenic maxillary sinusitis obscured by midfacial trauma.

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Odontogenic infections are a common cause of maxillary sinusitis.
• Sinonasal symptoms following midfacial trauma can be complex to diagnose.
• Delayed diagnosis of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis can lead to chronic conditions.

Observation:

• A patient presented with chronic sinonasal symptoms for over 10 years, initially attributed to midfacial trauma.
• Computed tomography (CT) of the paranasal sinuses revealed the dental origin of the sinusitis, despite the absence of typical dental symptoms.
• The patient had a history of facial contusion preceding the onset of sinonasal complaints.

Findings:

• The dental origin of maxillary sinusitis was identified through CT imaging.
• Appropriate dental treatment led to significant resolution of the patient's sinonasal symptoms.
• Surgical intervention for nasal or sinus issues was not required.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering odontogenic sources in chronic maxillary sinusitis, even with atypical presentations.
• CT imaging is crucial for diagnosing dental-related sinusitis, especially when dental symptoms are absent.
• Conservative dental management can effectively treat odontogenic maxillary sinusitis, potentially preventing the need for more invasive sinus surgery.