Are maxillary mucosal cysts a manifestation of inflammatory sinus disease?

BACKGROUND

The aetiology of maxillary mucosal cysts is uncertain. Chronic rhinosinusitis has been proposed as a probable aetiological explanation for their formation.

METHOD: We recruited 500 consecutive patients who had undergone computed tomography scanning of the paranasal sinuses for possible chronic sinus disease. We identified 110 (22 per cent) cases of maxillary mucosal cysts.

RESULTS

Patients' mean age was 42.65 years, with a female to male ratio of 0.69:1 (45:65). The mean cyst size was 14.27 mm, and most were located on the inferior surface of the antrum. Only in two cases did the cyst obstruct the sinus ostium. Of patients with antral cysts, 52.7 per cent had computed tomography evidence of sinus disease, whereas only 41.3 per cent of noncyst (control) patients had sinus pathology. The total Lund-Mackay score was significantly greater in the cyst group (n=390) compared with the noncyst group (Mann-Whitney; p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Chronic rhinosinusitis plays an important role in the aetiology of maxillary mucosal cysts.