Chronic maxillary rhinosinusitis of dental origin

Abstract

Introduction: Odontogenic maxillary sinusitis is a well-recognized condition and ac- counts for approximately 30% of maxillary sinusitis cases. The diagnosis can be missed leading to failure in medical and surgical treatments. Aim: To describe clinical features, diagnosis procedures and treatment of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis. Material and method: Case Report. We retrospectively reviewed medical records, radiologic characteristic, surgical findings and intraoperative microbial cultures of patients with diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis at Clínica Las Condes. Results: 10 patients were identified, 7 females and 3 males with a mean age of 63 years. Posterior discharge and rhinorrhea were the most common symptoms. Dental x-rays and paranasal sinus CT-scans were performed in all patients. Iatrogenic causes, which include dental implants and dental extractions, were the most common etiology and the 1st molar was the dental piece most frequently involved. Both otolaryngologists and dentistsworked together in all cases. 8 patients had endoscopic sinus surgery and five of them received concomitant management of the dental origin. Polymicrobial cul­tures were obtained. Conclusions: Otolaryngologists must have a high index of suspicion and look for an odontogenic cause in individuals with unilateral maxillary and ethmoidal symptoms, resistant to conventional sinusitis therapy.