Efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery in management of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis after control of dental pathology

Odontogenic sinusitis (ODS) has clinical features like rhinogenic sinusitis. Although it is usually unilateral, diagnostic overlap could happen. However, ODS necessitates different management which includes dental intervention to eliminate the dental infection source. In some patients, ODS may persist even after management of dental pathology. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical features, and diagnostic criteria of ODS that is persistent after management of dental pathology, and to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) as a therapeutic option of the disease. Twenty patients were included in this study. All patients were presented with ODS refractory to medical treatment after management of their dental problems. Clinical features of the patients were analyzed. Also, endoscopic nasal examination and computed tomography of paranasal sinuses (CT) were performed for all patients. ESS were used, with widening of the maxillary ostium for drainage. Follow-up was carried out for at least 6 months. All patients had unilateral disease, with 3 main complaints: malodourous nasal discharge (90%), facial pain (75%), and nasal obstruction (45%). Endoscopic nasal examination showed either middle meatal purulence (70%) or polypoid mucosa (30%). CT showed either thickened maxillary sinus mucosa (50%), or complete maxillary opacity (50%) with retained foreign body in 2 patients (10%). After ESS, all patients reported relieve of their sinonasal symptoms, and nasal endoscopy showed patent middle meatus, with one patient demonstrated adhesions between the middle turbinate and lateral nasal wall which was asymptomatic. Prior dental intervention is a suspicious diagnostic landmark for ODS, and unilateral foul nasal discharge is the main prevalent complaint. Nasal endoscopy usually shows purulence or polypoid mucosa in the middle meatus, and CT is a good diagnostic tool for ODS. ESS with good widening of the maxillary ostium is an effective therapeutic option for those patients.