A maxillary sinus cyst

A maxillary sinus cyst is a benign, spherical formation filled with fluid.

The cyst wall is two-layered, the inner layer of which is represented by epithelium, which produces mucus.

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Causes maxillary sinus cysts

What are the main causes of maxillary sinus cysts? Most often, these are chronic diseases such as rhinitis or sinusitis, which develop in the nose or paranasal sinuses. However, it happens that a maxillary sinus cyst appears for other reasons. The main mechanism and cause of maxillary sinus cyst development is thickening, due to multiple inflammatory processes, of the mucous membrane in the nasal cavities and sinuses, which leads to the fact that the channels that remove mucus from the glands become clogged, overgrown and can no longer remove it. Therefore, mucus gradually accumulates, which leads to the appearance of mucous "balls".

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Symptoms maxillary sinus cysts

Do you have a headache? Is your blood pressure jumping? Do you often feel dizzy? Do you have difficulty breathing? This means that something has gone wrong in your body and you simply need to see a doctor. Perhaps this is a consequence of untreated diseases that are trying to force you to start treatment, or maybe something else that you don’t immediately think of. In addition, if the disease develops into a chronic stage with relapses, then it becomes much more difficult to determine that something is wrong in the body.

One of the reasons for feeling unwell is a maxillary sinus cyst. What kind of "beast" is this? Usually, the patient does not feel any pain, or rather does not even suspect the existence of a formation in the body. The main principle for determining the occurrence of this disease is pure chance, when the patient gets sick with ordinary sinusitis and goes for an X-ray. And then the X-ray shows that the sinus walls are not as they should be and a certain bulge has appeared there. You can also determine the occurrence of a maxillary sinus cyst during an orthopantogram (a panoramic image of the upper and lower jaw, which is prescribed by a dentist).

However, when receiving an X-ray and a preliminary diagnosis, do not despair if there are many medical terms written there that do not bode well. In order to get a correct and final diagnosis, you need to examine the patient, find out about his feelings, well-being, complaints and only then try to make a diagnosis.

In most cases, the cyst develops gradually and does not affect a person's well-being, does not cause discomfort and can become a faithful, but not very desirable companion for the patient's entire life. Moreover, identifying a cyst is like playing darts - you can hit it or miss it, or you can find it or not. Identifying a maxillary sinus cyst is a difficult and unexpected matter.

However, there is a possibility of the maxillary sinus cyst growing, which can lead to filling the entire maxillary sinus space. In this case, the patient may experience discomfort, suffer from nasal congestion, difficulty breathing. In some cases, patients experience pressure under the eyes. If an acute respiratory viral infection enters the body or a person gets sinusitis, then the maxillary sinus cyst can become inflamed, produce pus, which is symptomatically reminiscent of acute sinusitis.

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Forms

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Dental cyst in the maxillary sinus

A dental cyst is undoubtedly the body's reaction to the appearance and proliferation of bacteria. These foreign organisms enter the root canal of the tooth and provoke the death of bone areas, which leads to the formation of cavities in the dental canals. Over time, a ball is formed in the cavity - a dense shell that establishes a boundary between healthy and infected tooth cells. This shell is considered a cyst.

A dental cyst can be different, depending on its location and content. For example, by the place of origin, there is a cyst of the front tooth, wisdom tooth, and also a cyst of the tooth in the maxillary sinus.

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Odontogenic cyst of the maxillary sinus

There is a whole group of tumors related to odontogenic - these are adamantinoma, odontoma, cementoma and, of course, cysts. Cysts are detected by doctors much more often than other tumors. The good thing is that cysts do not metastasize, although they can cover quite large volumes of tissue.

The growth of the cyst destroys the bone and makes it die, often leading to inflammation. The jaw wall significantly decreases in volume, becomes thinner, which is determined by a slight crunch when palpating, and then may disappear altogether.

Odontogenic cysts of the maxillary sinus usually do not cause discomfort, are not felt during palpation, therefore they can often reach very impressive sizes. Such an increase in the volume of the cyst leads to compression of the maxillary sinus.

Visually, an odontogenic cyst of the maxillary sinus can be seen when it grows and pushes the anterior wall of the jaw (growth towards the mouth opening). If the cyst is located on the upper jaw near the central incisors, it can grow towards the nasal cavity, if from the lateral upper incisors - towards the palate. When a cyst of the lower teeth develops, there is a risk of fracture of the lower edge of the jaw during chewing.

Retention cyst of the maxillary sinus

The most common type is the retention cyst, the so-called true cyst. Its nature can only be determined by histological examination. The typical location is the maxillary sinus, namely its lower wall. It consists of cylindrical epithelium and is clearly visible on X-rays. Like all cysts, the occurrence and existence of a retention cyst of the maxillary sinus occurs without symptoms and pain. Most often, it is discovered by chance. However, when a retention cyst of the maxillary sinus reaches a large size, symptoms characteristic of this disease already appear.

It takes about 2 months for the first symptoms of a cyst to appear. During this time, a sufficient amount of histamine, serotonin or acetylcholine accumulates in the body, which disrupts the structure of the capillaries. The disruption of blood flow through the microcirculatory bed affects the mucous membrane, which swells due to the accumulation of the above substances.

Cyst of the left and right maxillary sinus

Cysts of the left, as well as the right maxillary sinus, do not manifest symptoms for a long time and are detected only by X-ray or tomography. Symptoms include random, sudden, single discharges from one side of the nose. Yellowish, transparent, abundant discharges may characterize a rupture and release of the cyst filling.

To determine the presence of a cyst of the left or right maxillary sinus, an X-ray of the paranasal sinuses is usually performed, samples are taken, or contrast agents are introduced into the cavities. However, the most effective method of determination is still tomography, which is performed using a computer tomograph. It allows you to see exactly where the cyst is located and what size it is. The procedure also allows you to determine the thickness of its shell and what is inside it.

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Complications and consequences

Depending on the type of cyst and its location, various outcomes of the disease are possible. Complications are rare, but doctors say that the most common variant is suppuration inside the skin sac.

A possible, but quite rare, option is that with constant slow growth of the cyst, pressure on the bones and organs of the skull increases. Due to the increased pressure, the bone may become deformed. When the cyst affects the organs of vision, diplopia may develop - a disease in which the image appears double.

If the disease is sufficiently advanced, bone rejection or death may begin.

What is the danger of a maxillary sinus cyst?

What can happen if an adult gets a maxillary sinus cyst in his body? As described above - if the cyst is small, unnoticeable and insignificant, it will not cause any particular harm, although it can "roll" in your body all your life. However, with a more impressive size of the "mucus collector" and also with inflammation or decay, such a disease can threaten you with increased pressure on the internal organs of the head, increased body temperature, and in very advanced cases, even the spread of inflammation to neighboring tissues and organs.

In the worst case scenario, the cyst may burst, which will result in the release of purulent fluid from it, which will not only create discomfort, but may also lead to tissue infection and then necrosis.

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Diagnostics maxillary sinus cysts

In modern medicine, there are not many methods for diagnosing a maxillary sinus cyst. Thus, the most common and widely used method for determining a maxillary sinus cyst at this stage of development of medical practice is X-ray imaging, in which the paranasal sinuses are photographed from two angles.

One of the most accurate options for diagnosing a maxillary sinus cyst is to perform a computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging of the sinuses, and endoscopy of the maxillary sinuses.

Among the known scientific methods for determining a maxillary sinus cyst, the introduction of a contrast fluid into the site of the suspected cyst formation is also used – maxillary sinusography.

If a biopsy is performed to determine the presence of a cyst in the body, that is, cutting off a portion of the tissue of the suspected formation and studying it, checking for the presence of certain disorders. The tissue cut off during the biopsy is subjected to several procedures - microbiological, biochemical, and cytological. All these studies help to determine the disease, its nature and stage of development.

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Treatment maxillary sinus cysts

If all the necessary studies have been carried out and the presence of a cyst is confirmed, the doctor prescribes a certain method of treating the maxillary sinus cyst. The most common method of treating a maxillary sinus cyst is surgical intervention, that is, removing the cyst. If there is no need for such intervention, and the disease itself does not cause inconvenience to a person, then conservative non-surgical treatment is carried out. This treatment means constant monitoring by an ENT specialist, as well as taking various medications - nasal sprays, antihistamines, decongestants.

Removal of a maxillary sinus cyst can be prescribed by a doctor only if the formation has reached a large size or interferes with the normal functioning of the head organs (in particular, the paranasal sinuses, as well as various vessels).

The most acceptable and safe method of surgical intervention is endoscopic removal of the maxillary sinus cyst. Most doctors, as well as patients themselves, who are faced with the need for such an operation, choose the endoscopic method, since there is less trauma to the skin during such an operation for a cyst in the maxillary sinus, and there are no scars from the incisions, and the rehabilitation period is minimal.

This technique allows for more thorough removal of unnecessary formations. Laser removal of a maxillary sinus cyst eliminates the use of scary instruments such as a chisel or hammer, and also allows the doctor to reach the desired location of the cystic formation through a small opening in the sinus wall. In addition, the entire surgical intervention lasts only 10-15 minutes. When performing surgery on a cyst in the maxillary sinus, video cameras are used to inspect the surgical site from the inside.

Folk treatment of maxillary sinus cysts

Traditional treatment of maxillary sinus cysts, oddly enough, can cause an increase in the cystic formation and a deterioration in general health. In addition, there are often cases of exacerbation or allergy to certain herbs or other plant components.

Basically, folk recipes are based on the use of herbs and biologically active substances contained in propolis or honey. Unfortunately, such recipes rarely lead to complete elimination of the cyst. Neither instillation of decoctions into the nose, nor rinsing or inhalation, nor taking various preparations made at home from herbal components will help get rid of the cyst. Also, doctors strongly recommend refraining from taking homeopathic drugs and undergoing various homeopathic procedures.

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Prevention

In order for you to never know what a maxillary sinus cyst is, you just need to monitor your own health and not neglect treatment of diseases. Prevention of a maxillary sinus cyst involves the rapid and effective elimination of all kinds of rhinitis, sinusitis, as well as avoiding the development of polyps in the nose and paranasal sinuses. These diseases contribute to the coarsening of the nasal mucosa, which leads to blockage of the mucus-excreting ducts.

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Forecast

It is worth noting that a maxillary sinus cyst is a fairly "harmless" disease. It is not oncology, not a neoplasm, but simply an accumulation of fluid in the bladder.

The prognosis for a maxillary sinus cyst, it is worth noting, is unfavorable for those who have abnormal development of the paranasal sinuses, as well as for those who suffer from chronic sinusitis. Doctors say that the occurrence of a cyst is also more likely in people suffering from allergic diseases.

In conclusion, it should be noted that a maxillary sinus cyst is not such a terrible diagnosis and can be cured. In addition, if a person does not feel any discomfort, then he can live and not suspect the existence of such a formation in his own body.

Remember that the presence of a cyst can only be determined by X-ray, tomography, injection of a contrast agent or biopsy and probing. Folk remedies cannot cure a maxillary sinus cyst, so if it is detected, you should consult an otolaryngologist about further actions and possible treatment methods.

Know that self-medication is not safe for your body, and the best way to avoid the occurrence of a maxillary sinus cyst is to not get sick or to get treated in a timely and correct manner.

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