Frequency of Maxillary Sinus Mucous Retention Cysts in a Central Brazilian Population

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Mucous retention cysts (MRCs) of the maxillary sinus are lesions with undefined pathogenesis. In recent researches, geographical and climatic aspects have been related as risk factors. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of MRCs of the maxillary sinus using panoramic radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHOD A total of 631 panoramic radiographs were selected from a secondary database from a private radiology clinic and analyzed by two specialists in dental radiology according to gender, age, month, relative air humidity, and mean temperature. RESULTS A total of 87 (6.89%) radiographic images were suggestive of MRCs. Thirty-five MRCs (40.22%) were detected on the right side, 10 (11.49%) on the left side and 42 (48.29%) on both sides. A high frequency was detected in female participants (n=45; 51, 72%), those aged 18-35 years (n=31; 35, 63%) and those from August (n=24; 27.59%) and July (n=22; 25.29%). CONCLUSION The frequency of MRCs was low, and no statistically significant correlation was found between the prevalence of MRCs and the studied variables with the exception of the mean temperature.