Maxillary Sinus Cyst - Causes and Signs of Maxillary Sinus Cyst

Types of maxillary sinus cysts

Classification of maxillary sinus cysts based on their structure:

• a true cyst has all walls made of mucous membrane;
• a pseudocyst, which is formed as a result of the "splitting" of the mucous membrane, with subsequent accumulation of fluid.

Classification of maxillary sinus cysts based on their occurrence:

• a retention cyst - has a two-layer wall lined with epithelium. The cells of this epithelium produce mucus, which accumulates here. It develops as a result of blockage of the excretory duct of the mucous gland with swelling of the mucous membrane of the sinus. This type of cyst is characterized by a gradual increase in size. They do not disappear on their own;

• a single-gene cyst – forms around the root of a tooth due to an inflammatory process in it. Most often it is small in size, but can increase over time. Filled with pus.

Causes

Otolaryngologists identify the following causes of maxillary sinus cysts:

• inflammatory processes of the paranasal sinuses or nasal passage (sinusitis, rhinitis, etc.);
• inflammatory processes of the teeth;
• allergies;
• increased reactivity of the body;
• reduced immunity;
• personal characteristics of the anatomical structures of the sinuses.

The main cause of maxillary sinus cysts is sinusitis. It causes swelling of the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinus with subsequent blockage of the excretory ducts. This leads to the formation of multiple cysts in both maxillary sinuses as a result of the advanced inflammatory process.

Symptoms

Small maxillary sinus cysts do not show symptoms. Symptoms begin to appear when the cyst reaches a large size and include the following:

• pain at the site of the cyst;
• pain may radiate to the eye area or to the temple on the side of the affected sinus;
• severe headaches in the front of the head in the forehead;
• nasal congestion, most often on the side of the sinus with the cyst;
• purulent discharge (a consequence of the purulent-inflammatory process);
• increased intracranial pressure (associated with the immersion of the cyst deep into the sinus);
• discomfort in the upper jaw.

Diagnostics

If you have the above symptoms, you should consult a catarrhal specialist. The initial examination consists of:

• taking a medical history;
• rhinoscopy (examination of the nose);

After the initial examination, to confirm the diagnosis, the following tests are prescribed:

• computed tomography (CT);
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
• radiography;
• fluoroscopy.

Sometimes, if the maxillary sinuses of the upper jaw are completely darkened on the X-ray, a diagnostic puncture or puncture under local anesthesia is prescribed.

A dentist can refer a patient for the above diagnostic tests if he suspects inflammation of the tooth root.

Treatment

A maxillary sinus cyst cannot degenerate into a malignant tumor.

If a cyst is detected in the maxillary sinus during a "random" examination and in the absence of symptoms such as nasal congestion, pain in the maxillary sinuses, treatment is not prescribed.

Treatment of cysts associated with inflammatory processes in the teeth is carried out by a dentist.

Conservative treatment of maxillary sinus cysts, using pharmacological drugs, is not effective and can contribute to infectious contamination, as a result of which cyst formation is possible.

For large cysts, purulent sinusitis, distension in the cheeks, treatment by a surgeon is prescribed followed by removal cysts (micro maxillary antrotomy). To perform the operation, it is necessary to cure sinusitis. For this, antibiotics and nasal lavage are prescribed.

Surgical removal of the cyst occurs through an incision above the gum under the lip. The cyst is removed with the membrane, and the sinus itself is examined using an endoscope. The incision under the lip may or may not be sutured (depending on the circumstances). At the same time, straightening of the curvature of the nasal septum (septoplasty) and correction of the nasal conchae can be performed.

Prevention

To avoid the development of cysts in the maxillary sinuses, it is necessary:

• timely treatment of gums and teeth;
• timely treatment of inflammatory processes in the nose;
• allergy treatment;
• preventive examinations by specialists.