Histopathology of maxillary sinus mucosa with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis

Histopathology of the maxillary sinus mucosa with intractable odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (OMS) was investigated and the role endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) plays in its pathophysiology was clarified.

Histopathological analysis of the OMS mucosa.

Surgical specimens were obtained from 20 patients who underwent ESS for intractable OMS. For rigid endoscopic observation of the mucosae, a 70° rigid endoscope 4 mm in diameter with an attached high definition surgical camera was used. Histopathological analyses of the maxillary sinus mucosa were conducted by light and scanning electron microscopy.

All the maxillary sinuses were filled, not with viscous, but with purulent secretions. The high-definition camera showed that the maxillary sinus mucosa had gyrus-like appearance. Light microscopic histopathological studies revealed that the surface of the maxillary sinus mucosa was convoluted. Light and scanning electron microscopic histopathological studies revealed that the ciliated cells of the epithelium had not decreased and their goblet cells were not hypertrophic, indicating that the damage of the ciliated columnar epithelium was not severe and they were not injured irreversibly.

The ciliated columnar epithelium with intractable OMS was not severely damaged and not irreversibly injured. Hence, the pathophysiology of intractable OMS is one of the reasons why ESS is highly indicated for maxillary sinusitis requiring surgery and the treatment results are exceptionally good when the ventilation and drainage of the maxillary sinus is successfully restored after surgery.

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