Histopathological study of sinus mucosa in patients diagnosed with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis

Purpose The aim of the study is to analyze the changes that occur in the mucosa of ontogenic maxillary sinusitis patients. Material and methods The study included 127 patients diagnosed with odontogenic maxillary sinusitis admitted to the County Hospital Craiova, ENT Clinic in 2006-2010; out of them there were selected 47 patients who underwent surgery, practising radical Caldwell-Luc sinus cure. Sinus mucosa taken during these inteventions was analysed in terms of histopathological hematoxylin-eosin staining. Results Histopathological study of sinus mucosa taken during surgery allowed us to observe the presence of the following cellular infiltrates: existence of a microscopic respiratory type epithelium, often ulcerated, subjacent dense collagen stroma with myxoid areas alone or combined with hyalinisation areas; presence of diffuse lymphoplamocitary infiltrate, subepithelial or focal, periglandular; the presence of this lymphoplamocitary infiltrate shows chronic inflammation of sinus mucosa; presence of eosinophilic infiltrate with or without lymphoplasmocitary infiltrate; presence of chronic xantogranulomatous infiltrate. Discussion and conclusion In odontogenic maxillary sinusitis histopathology of sinus mucosa, performed regularly, confirms the clinical diagnosis. Histopathological examination is necessary to identify a possible malignant lesion. In general, the changes are not characteristic for sinusitis of dental origin but we have to take into consideration the adagium “if it is important enough to have it removed, it is important enough to have it investigated”.