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Destructive cysts of the maxillary sinus affecting the orbit
S A Kaltreider1, R K Dortzbach
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Wisconsin Clinical Sciences Center, Madison.
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|October 1, 1988
Summary
Maxillary sinus cysts, though rare, can cause eye symptoms like proptosis. These cysts, often mucoceles, require consideration in diagnosing orbital issues after trauma.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Pathology
Background:
- Maxillary sinus cysts are infrequently diagnosed compared to those in other sinuses.
- Ophthalmic presentations of maxillary sinus cysts are rare in medical literature.
Observation:
- Patients may exhibit proptosis, enophthalmos, diplopia, ptosis, epiphora, and decreased visual acuity.
- Four cases of maxillary sinus mucoceles are presented, with one co-occurring orbital retention cyst.
Findings:
- Mucocele formation is a known complication of the Caldwell-Luc procedure and midface trauma.
- While ostial blockage is a proposed mechanism, clinical and histopathologic data suggest multiple pathogenetic pathways for maxillary sinus cysts.
Implications:
- Maxillary sinus mucoceles and retention cysts are important differential diagnoses for exophthalmos or enophthalmos post-orbital floor fracture.
- Ophthalmologists should be aware of these potential ophthalmic manifestations of maxillary sinus pathology.