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The Journal of Laryngology & Otology
May 2003, Vol. 117, pp. 402-403
Abstract
Paranasal sinus mucoceles are benign, locally expansile cyst-like masses that are filled with mucus and lined with epithelium. Less than one per cent of them involve the maxillary sinus. Most of these are late complications of a Caldwell Luc procedure. A case is presented of a 31-year-old woman with a maxillary sinus mucocele who had undergone a Le Fort I maxillary advancement procedure 15 years previously - a complication never previously reported.
Key words: Maxillary Sinus; Mucocele; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Postoperative Complications
Case report
A 31-year-old lady was referred to the otolaryngology outpatient clinic with a two-month history of left-sided symptoms of rhinorrhoea, watering eye, nasal obstruction and facial pain.
She had undergone a Le Fort I maxillary advancement procedure at 16 years of age, as treatment for maxillary hypoplasia. Her past medical history was otherwise unremarkable. She was not on any medication and was a non-smoker.
Examination of her right nasal cavity was unremarkable. Her left nasal cavity appeared moist and a firm medial bulging of the inferior meatal wall was noted (Figure 1). Examination of her oropharynx and neck was normal.
A left maxillary mucocele was suspected on clinical grounds and a computerized tomography (CT) scan was arranged, which confirmed the diagnosis and revealed evidence of previous surgery with metallic foreign bodies within the maxillary antrum (Figures 2 and 3).
She subsequently underwent a left Caldwell-Luc procedure for removal of the mucocele. This procedure was chosen over an...