Maxillary Sinus Epidermoid Cyst: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Paranasal epidermoid cysts (EC) pose diagnostic challenges, often misdiagnosed as other sinus pathologies.
• Facial swelling can be an indicator of underlying paranasal sinus conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case of paranasal epidermoid cyst.
• To highlight the diagnostic utility of advanced imaging techniques (CT and MRI) in differentiating ECs from other sinus tumors.
• To describe the surgical and histopathological confirmation of EC.

Main Methods:

• Clinical examination of a patient with left-sided facial swelling.
• Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for detailed lesion characterization.
• Surgical excision via a combined endoscopic sinus and Caldwell-Luc approach.
• Histopathological examination for definitive diagnosis.

Main Results:

• CT revealed a well-encapsulated hypodense lesion in the left maxillary sinus.
• MRI demonstrated characteristic signal intensities (hypo-intense T1, hyper-intense T2, hyper-intense DWI, low ADC) without contrast enhancement.
• Histopathology confirmed the lesion as an epidermoid cyst.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative CT and MRI are valuable tools for diagnosing paranasal ECs and distinguishing them from other sinus neoplasms.
• A combined surgical approach facilitated complete excision.
• Postoperative surveillance with endoscopy and CT is essential to detect recurrence.