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Differential diagnosis for an unusual calcification in the maxillary sinus: case report

Diagnóstico diferencial para calcificação incomum em seio maxilar: relato de caso

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to report a rare case of an asymptomatic calcification of unusual size and shape, inside the maxillary sinus identified on a cone beam computed tomography exam and to discuss the importance of knowledge of the anatomy of maxillary sinus and its changes carefully evaluating the entire volume of the images, regardless of the region of interest. An 83-year-old female patient underwent a cone beam computed tomography exam for other diagnostic purposes in the maxillofacial region. When analyzing the entire volume, an image of unusual limits, hyperdense and calcified was found in the right maxillary sinus, close to the anterior and medial wall, with a rounded and homogeneous shape, occupying approximately one third of the maxillary sinus. There was no lytic or erosive lesions on the maxillary sinus wall. The main diagnostic hypotheses raised were giant anthrolith, mucous retention phenomenon and osteoma. Due to the anatomical complexity of the maxillary sinus, diagnosis in this region becomes a challenge. Considering the limitations of 2D exams, the cone beam computed tomography exam can be used to evaluate these structures. Knowledge of differential hypotheses is extremely important for the case to be conducted correctly, but it does not replace biopsy and histopathological examination.

Indexing terms
Calcinosis; Cone beam computed tomography; Diagnosis; Maxillary sinus

RESUMO

O objetivo desse estudo foi relatar um caso raro de uma calcificação assintomática de tamanho e formato incomum, no interior do seio maxilar, diagnosticado em um exame de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico, além de discutir a importância do conhecimento da anatomia do seio maxilar e suas alterações, avaliando cuidadosamente todo o volume das imagens, independentemente da região de interesse. Paciente do sexo feminino, 83 anos de idade, realizou uma tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico para outros fins de diagnóstico na região bucomaxilofacial. Ao analisar todo volume da tomografia encontrou-se uma imagem de limites incomuns, hiperdensa e calcificada, no seio maxilar direito, próximo a parede anterior e medial, com formato arredondado e homogêneo, ocupando aproximadamente um terço do seio maxilar, com as suas paredes intactas e sem nenhuma lesão lítica ou erosiva. As principais hipóteses diagnosticas levantadas foram antrólito gigante, fenômeno de retenção mucoso e osteoma. Devido a complexidade anatômica do seio maxilar, o diagnóstico nessa região se torna um desafio. Considerando as limitações dos exames 2D, a tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico pode ser empregada para a avaliação dessas estruturas. O conhecimento do raciocínio diagnóstico e das hipóteses diferenciais são de extrema importância para o que o caso seja conduzido corretamente, porém não substituem a biópsia e o exame histopatológico.

Termos de indexação
Calcinose; Tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico; Diagnóstico; Seio maxilar

INTRODUCTION

The maxillary sinuses (MS) form a pair of bony chambers located in the maxillary bone that contain air inside [11 Angelopoulos C. Cone beam tomographic imaging anatomy of the maxillofacial region. Dent Clin North Am. 2008;52(4):731-752. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2008.07.002
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2008.07.0...
,22 Perrella A, Rocha SS, Cavalcanti MGP. Quantitative analyses of maxillary sinus using computed tomography. J Appl Oral Sci. 2003;11(3):229-233. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1678-77572003000300013
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-7757200300...
]. Its proximity to important structures can lead to the development of sinus pathologies and inflammatory processes of odontogenic origin [33 Rosado LPL, Barbosa IS, Aquino SN, Junqueira RB, Verner FS. Dental students’ ability to detect maxillary sinus abnormalities: a comparison between panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019;49(3):191-199. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.191
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.19...
], requiring special attention in dental planning. These changes include thickening of the sinus mucosa, mucous retention phenomenon, polyps, antroliths, opacified images of the indefinite origin or related to the inflammatory reaction, and less commonly, the presence of periostitis related to osteolytic lesions [33 Rosado LPL, Barbosa IS, Aquino SN, Junqueira RB, Verner FS. Dental students’ ability to detect maxillary sinus abnormalities: a comparison between panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019;49(3):191-199. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.191
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.19...
,44 Tadinada A, Fung K, Thacker S, Mahdian M, Jadhav A, Schincaglia GP. Radiographic evaluation of the maxillary sinus prior to dental implant therapy: a comparison between two-dimensional and three-dimensional radiographic imaging. Imaging Sci Dent. 2015;45(3):169-174. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2015.45.3.169
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2015.45.3.16...
]. The identification of these changes is essential to establish the correct diagnosis and treatment of the patient [55 Nascimento EHL, Pontual MLA, Pontual AA, Freitas DQ, Perez DEC, Ramos-Perez FMM. Association between odontogenic conditions and maxillary sinus disease: a study using cone-beam computed tomography. J Endod. 2016;42(10):1509-1515. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2016.07.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2016.07.0...
], when necessary.

Because it is a specific exam of the dentomaxillofacial region [66 Ritter L, Lutz J, Neugebauer J, Scheer M, Dreiseidler T, Zinser MJ, et al. Prevalence of pathologic findings in the maxillary sinus in cone-beam computerized tomography. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2011;111(5):634-640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tripleo.2010.12.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tripleo.2010.1...
], cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is often the exam of choice for analysis of the paranasal sinuses, as it promotes three-dimensional images with lower radiation dose and cost when compared helical computed tomography (HCT) [77 Liang X, Jacobs R, Hassan B, Li L, Pauwels R, Corpas L, et al. A comparative evaluation of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and multi-slice CT (MSCT): Part I. On subjective image quality. Eur J Radiol. 2010;75(2):265-269. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2009.03.042
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2009.03....
]. CBCT clearly shows sinus changes4 and their relationship with adjacent teeth [88 Lu Y, Liu Z, Zhang L, Zhou X, Zheng Q, Duan X, et al. Associations between maxillary sinus mucosal thickening and apical periodontitis using cone-beam computed tomography scanning: a retrospective study. J Endod. 2012;38:1069-1074. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2012.04.027
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2012.04.0...
].

MS are part of the region of dental interest and their careful evaluation is essential when planning surgical and non-surgical procedures in the maxillary region. In addition, nonspecific symptoms such as pain and drainage may come from sinus pathologies. The aim of this manuscript is to report a case of a large calcification in the MS detected in a CBCT examination of an asymptomatic patient.

CASE REPORT

An 83-year-old female patient was referred to a radiology and dental imaging clinic to perform a CBCT exam for rehabilitation planning with implants in the posterior region of the maxilla.

CBCT was performed on the i-CAT® CB500 system (Imaging Sciences, Hatfield, PA, USA), following the acquisition protocol: 120 kVp, 5 mA, voxel size of 0.125 mm, Field of View (FOV) of 8 × 8 cm. The images were evaluated using the e-Vol DX® software (CDT software, Bauru, SP, Brazil) in Full HD screen (resolution 1920X1080 pixels), with 1-mm spacing.

The upper posterior teeth and upper right canine were absent. In the right MS, a hyperdense image was observed, with well-defined and homogeneous edges, rounded shape, with density compatible with calcified material, showing a close relationship with the floor of the MS and close to the anterior and medial walls, which were intact, with no signs of lysis or erosion (figure 1). There was a thickening of the SM lining mucosa on the floor and anterior wall. The thickening also involved the lesion. The calcification was not connected to the SM walls and its interior was more hypodense in relation to the margins (figure 2). The total volume and the largest diameter of the calcification were calculated using the ITK-SNAP 3.0 software (Cognitica, Philadelphia, PA, USA) (https://www.itksnap.org), being 2253 mm3 and 15.5 × 14.4 × 16.5 mm, respectively.

Figure 1
CBCT. Axial (A), sagittal (B), coronal (C) and tridimensional (D) reconstructions showing a calcification in the right MS in its largest diameter.
Figure 2
Sagittal reconstruction showing the lesion surrounded by the MS mucosa (white arrow), the mucosal thickening involving the floor and anterior wall of the MS (black arrow) and the hypodense interior compared to the margins (*).

When the patient was questioned, she reported not knowing the alteration and showing no symptoms. She denied episodes of sinusitis, previous infectious diseases, allergic rhinitis, asthma crisis, or history of surgery in MS, as well as facial trauma or insertion of a foreign body in the nasal cavity. Based on the clinical and imaginogical findings, the initial following hypothesis were suggested: a hard-tissue neoplasm (osteoma), mucous retention phenomenon and antrolith. As the region was edentulous, pathologies of odontogenic origin were discarded. Due the fact of the lesion is not in contact with any maxillary sinus wall, the osteoma was the least likely hypothesis. Likewise, the increased density and the corticalization of the lesion contest the hypothesis of a mucous retention phenomenon. Thus, our first presumptive diagnosis was an antrolith. The patient was referred to the otorhinolaryngologist but, due her advanced age and absence of symptoms, only periodic clinical-imaging monitoring was adopted.

DISCUSSION

The MS can be affected by several conditions, and its clinical access is difficult. 3D images are shown to be very helpful in the better clarification of those conditions [22 Perrella A, Rocha SS, Cavalcanti MGP. Quantitative analyses of maxillary sinus using computed tomography. J Appl Oral Sci. 2003;11(3):229-233. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1678-77572003000300013
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-7757200300...
]. The radiologist has to carefully evaluate the MS to rule out any significant pathologic changes [66 Ritter L, Lutz J, Neugebauer J, Scheer M, Dreiseidler T, Zinser MJ, et al. Prevalence of pathologic findings in the maxillary sinus in cone-beam computerized tomography. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2011;111(5):634-640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tripleo.2010.12.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tripleo.2010.1...
]. The higher prevalence of pathologies in asymptomatic patients emphasizes the significance of interpretation of the whole volume scans as it might have an impact on its medical status and in planning treatment [99 Kumar SM, Reddy GS, Naidu BR. Prevalence of Pathologic Findings in Maxillary Sinuses in Asymptomatic Patients Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography. Ann Indian Acad Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019;3:31-37. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/aiao.aiao_15_18
https://doi.org/10.4103/aiao.aiao_15_18...
]. Incidental findings in scans primarily taken for other indications show a high prevalence of calcified findings [66 Ritter L, Lutz J, Neugebauer J, Scheer M, Dreiseidler T, Zinser MJ, et al. Prevalence of pathologic findings in the maxillary sinus in cone-beam computerized tomography. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2011;111(5):634-640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tripleo.2010.12.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tripleo.2010.1...
], as noticed in the present case.

Antroliths, first described by Bowerman in 1969, are bodies located in the MS that received deposits of calcium phosphate minerals [1010 Bowerman JE. The maxillary antrolith. Laryngol Otol. 1969;83(9):873-882. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022215100071085
https://doi.org/10.1017/s002221510007108...
,1111 Nass Duce MN, Talas DU, Ozer C, Yildiz A, Apaydin FD, Ozgur A. Antrolithiasis: a retrospective study. J Laryngol Otol. 2003;117(8):637-640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/002221503768199997
https://doi.org/10.1258/0022215037681999...
]. They form a rigid surface, which can be of endogenous (originating from dental or bone fragments, necrotic and suppurative tissues of the body, accumulation of erythrocytes and mucus) [1111 Nass Duce MN, Talas DU, Ozer C, Yildiz A, Apaydin FD, Ozgur A. Antrolithiasis: a retrospective study. J Laryngol Otol. 2003;117(8):637-640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/002221503768199997
https://doi.org/10.1258/0022215037681999...
,1212 Cohen M, Packota G, Hall A. Large asymptomatic antrolith of the maxillary sinus. Oral Surg, Oral Med, Oral Pathol.1991;71(2):155-157. http://dx.doi.org/10.26843/ro_unicid.v25i3.347
https://doi.org/10.26843/ro_unicid.v25i3...
] or exogenous origin (originating from presence of foreign bodies in MS, such as vegetable matter, paper and cotton, dental implants, and material from dental canal overfilling [1313 Cho B, Jung YH, Hwang JJ. Maxillary antroliths detected by cone-beam computed tomography in an adult dental population. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019;49(1):59-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59...
]. Their etiology is undefined, but there are reports that associate Aspergillus sinusitis [1414 Chang T, Teng MMH, Wang SF, Li WY, Cheng CC, Lirng JF. Aspergillosis of the paranasal sinuses. Neuroradiology. 1992;34(6):520-523. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00598965
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00598965...
,1515 Henriques JGC, Kreich EM, Rosa RR, Castilho JCM, de Moraes LC, de Moraes MEL. Noninvasive aspergillosis as a maxillary antrolith: report of a rare case. Quintessence Int. 2012;43(2):143-146.], long fungal infections due to immunosuppression, poor sinus drainage with an accumulation of mucus, presence of foreign bodies [1010 Bowerman JE. The maxillary antrolith. Laryngol Otol. 1969;83(9):873-882. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022215100071085
https://doi.org/10.1017/s002221510007108...
,1313 Cho B, Jung YH, Hwang JJ. Maxillary antroliths detected by cone-beam computed tomography in an adult dental population. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019;49(1):59-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59...
], which can be single or multiple [1111 Nass Duce MN, Talas DU, Ozer C, Yildiz A, Apaydin FD, Ozgur A. Antrolithiasis: a retrospective study. J Laryngol Otol. 2003;117(8):637-640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/002221503768199997
https://doi.org/10.1258/0022215037681999...
]. Their prevalence varies between 0.15% and 2.40% [33 Rosado LPL, Barbosa IS, Aquino SN, Junqueira RB, Verner FS. Dental students’ ability to detect maxillary sinus abnormalities: a comparison between panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019;49(3):191-199. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.191
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.19...
,1313 Cho B, Jung YH, Hwang JJ. Maxillary antroliths detected by cone-beam computed tomography in an adult dental population. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019;49(1):59-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59...
,1616 Dogramaci EJ, Rossi-Fedele G, McDonald F. Clinical importance of incidental findings reported on small-volume dental cone beam computed tomography scans focused on impacted maxillary canine teeth. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2014;118(6):205-209. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2014.09.006
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2014.09.0...
] and they are less common than rhinoliths [1717 Karges MA, Eversole LR, Pointdexer BJ Jr. Antrolith: report of case and review of literature. J Oral Surg. 1971;29(11):812-815.].

In imaging exams, the antrolith is described as an asymptomatic single [1111 Nass Duce MN, Talas DU, Ozer C, Yildiz A, Apaydin FD, Ozgur A. Antrolithiasis: a retrospective study. J Laryngol Otol. 2003;117(8):637-640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/002221503768199997
https://doi.org/10.1258/0022215037681999...
] hyperdense image [1818 Da Costa ED, Verner FS, Peyneau PD, De Freitas DQ, De Almeida SM. Diagnosis of ethmoid sinolith by cone-beam computed tomography: case report and literature review. Oral Radiol. 2019;35(1):68-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11282-017-0310-zv
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11282-017-0310-...
] in MS, usually small, with irregular shape, associated with mucosal thickening [33 Rosado LPL, Barbosa IS, Aquino SN, Junqueira RB, Verner FS. Dental students’ ability to detect maxillary sinus abnormalities: a comparison between panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019;49(3):191-199. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.191
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.19...
,1313 Cho B, Jung YH, Hwang JJ. Maxillary antroliths detected by cone-beam computed tomography in an adult dental population. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019;49(1):59-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59...
] revealed in imaging exams for other purposes [1313 Cho B, Jung YH, Hwang JJ. Maxillary antroliths detected by cone-beam computed tomography in an adult dental population. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019;49(1):59-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59...
]. Nass Duce et al. [1313 Cho B, Jung YH, Hwang JJ. Maxillary antroliths detected by cone-beam computed tomography in an adult dental population. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019;49(1):59-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59...
] reported a case of antrolith with similar characteristics, with hyperdensity of the edges and a more hypodense interior. The histopathological examination revealed necrotic material inside the lesion [1111 Nass Duce MN, Talas DU, Ozer C, Yildiz A, Apaydin FD, Ozgur A. Antrolithiasis: a retrospective study. J Laryngol Otol. 2003;117(8):637-640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/002221503768199997
https://doi.org/10.1258/0022215037681999...
]. There are some reports of antroliths >1.0 cm in the literature (table I). However, all had an irregular shape, contrary to the present case, in which calcification was very well defined and rounded. As in our case, in only one study [1212 Cohen M, Packota G, Hall A. Large asymptomatic antrolith of the maxillary sinus. Oral Surg, Oral Med, Oral Pathol.1991;71(2):155-157. http://dx.doi.org/10.26843/ro_unicid.v25i3.347
https://doi.org/10.26843/ro_unicid.v25i3...
] the patient was completely asymptomatic. The other authors [1111 Nass Duce MN, Talas DU, Ozer C, Yildiz A, Apaydin FD, Ozgur A. Antrolithiasis: a retrospective study. J Laryngol Otol. 2003;117(8):637-640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/002221503768199997
https://doi.org/10.1258/0022215037681999...
,1919 Nair S, James E, Dutta A, Goyal S. Antrolith in the maxillary sinus: an unsual complication of endoscopic sinus surgery. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010;62(1):81-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12070-010-0013-9
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-010-0013-...
,2020 Shenoy V, Maller V, Maller V. Maxillary antrolith: a rare cause of the recurrent sinusitis. Case Reports in Otolaryngology. 2013;2013:1-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/527152/
https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/527152/...
] reported symptoms such as heaviness on one side of the face; nasal discharge, facial pain and headache. All patients were females aging from 32-47 years.

Table 1
Reports of unusual antroliths (>1.0cm) in the literature.

Also, calcified mucous retention phenomenon was considered. The mucous retention phenomenon is usually asymptomatic, and radiographically dome-shaped, radiopaque, and characterized by the extension of the mucosa originating in the sinus wall [2121 Donizeth-Rodrigues C, Fonseca-Da Silveira M, Gonçalves-De Alencar AH, Garcia-Santos-Silva MA, Francisco-De-Mendonça E, Estrela C. Three-dimensional images contribute to the diagnosis of mucous retention cyst in maxillary sinus. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2013;18(1):151-157. http://dx.doi.org/10.4317/medoral.18141
https://doi.org/10.4317/medoral.18141...
]. CT scans reveal a non-corticalized hyperdense image with defined limits. The lining of the adjacent membrane is generally not visible. As it is asymptomatic, it is frequently detected in imaging exams for other purposes. Although its etiology is uncertain, some theories are supported in the literature, such as recurrent inflammatory allergic processes, trauma, odontogenic infections, and air humidity [2222 Vele DD, Sengupta SK, Dubey SP, Dokup MK. Cystic lesions of the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses: report of two unusual cases. J Laryngol Otol. 1996;110:1157-1160. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022215100136011
https://doi.org/10.1017/s002221510013601...
]. Its prevalence ranges from 5.8% to 36.7% [66 Ritter L, Lutz J, Neugebauer J, Scheer M, Dreiseidler T, Zinser MJ, et al. Prevalence of pathologic findings in the maxillary sinus in cone-beam computerized tomography. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2011;111(5):634-640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tripleo.2010.12.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tripleo.2010.1...
].

The presence of a calcified mucous retention phenomenon was considered as a hypothesis in the present case, although the high density of the lesion makes us somewhat discredit this possibility. Vele et al. [2222 Vele DD, Sengupta SK, Dubey SP, Dokup MK. Cystic lesions of the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses: report of two unusual cases. J Laryngol Otol. 1996;110:1157-1160. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022215100136011
https://doi.org/10.1017/s002221510013601...
] reported a mucosa-covered globular mass of 4 cm inside the nasal cavity detected in a Waters radiography that was attached to the lateral nasal wall. It was removed by the lateral rhinotomy approach and macroscopic examination of the specimen showed a cyst lined with a paper-thin bony covering all round the inner lining mucosa. Microscopic examination revealed a cystic lesion with its wall showing calcification and osseous metaplasia [2222 Vele DD, Sengupta SK, Dubey SP, Dokup MK. Cystic lesions of the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses: report of two unusual cases. J Laryngol Otol. 1996;110:1157-1160. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022215100136011
https://doi.org/10.1017/s002221510013601...
]. Unfortunately, the patient was not submitted to tridimensional exam so that the image could be studied in detail and compared with our case. The calcification of the mucous retention phenomenon is rare and was reported in only 5% of the cases. In some cases, it can be dense enough to simulate osteomas [2323 Zizmor J, Noyek AM. Cysts, benign tumors and malignant tumors of the paranasal sinuses. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 1973;6(2):487-508. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0030-6665(20)32923-6
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0030-6665(20)32...
], which may explain the scarcity of reports in the literature. In a CBCT study, Yeung et al. [2424 Yeung AW, Tanaka R, Khong PL, Von Arx T, Bornstein MM. Frequency, location, and association with dental pathology of mucous retention cysts in the maxillary sinus. A radiographic study using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Clin Oral Investig. 2018;22(3):1175-1183. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00784-017-2206-z
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-017-2206-...
] assessed these alterations and did not report calcified images.

Osteoma was initially considered in the present case. This benign, slow-growing neoplasm is more common in the paranasal sinuses than gnathic lesions. The frontal sinus is the most frequently involved, followed by the ethmoidal and maxillary sinuses. Most cases are asymptomatic [2525 Eller R, Sillers M. Common fibro-osseous lesions of the paranasal sinuses. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2006;39:585-600. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.otc.2006.01.013
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otc.2006.01.01...
], explaining why they are generally found as incidental findings in imaging studies [2626 Viswanatha B. Maxillary sinus osteoma: two cases and review of the literature. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2012;32(3):202-205.,2727 Saratziotis A, Emanuelli E. Osteoma of the medial wall of the maxillary sinus: a primary cause of nasolacrimal duct obstruction and review of the literature. Case Rep Otolaryngol. 2014;2014:1-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/348459
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/348459...
]. Symptoms are reported only in cases where the lesion presses and occupies spaces of adjacent structures [2626 Viswanatha B. Maxillary sinus osteoma: two cases and review of the literature. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2012;32(3):202-205.]. However, it hardly exceeds bone limits [2727 Saratziotis A, Emanuelli E. Osteoma of the medial wall of the maxillary sinus: a primary cause of nasolacrimal duct obstruction and review of the literature. Case Rep Otolaryngol. 2014;2014:1-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/348459
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/348459...
]. Traumatic, inflammatory, and embryological etiologies have been suggested [2626 Viswanatha B. Maxillary sinus osteoma: two cases and review of the literature. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2012;32(3):202-205.,2727 Saratziotis A, Emanuelli E. Osteoma of the medial wall of the maxillary sinus: a primary cause of nasolacrimal duct obstruction and review of the literature. Case Rep Otolaryngol. 2014;2014:1-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/348459
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/348459...
]. The prevalence of the osteoma is about 2.6% [33 Rosado LPL, Barbosa IS, Aquino SN, Junqueira RB, Verner FS. Dental students’ ability to detect maxillary sinus abnormalities: a comparison between panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019;49(3):191-199. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.191
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.19...
]. In the tomographic exam, the osteoma can present several features. A hyperdense, heterogenous or homogeneous image, most likely well circumscribed lesion can be observed [2828 Earwaker J. Paranasal sinus osteomas: a review of 46 cases. Skeletal Radiol. 1993;22(6):417-423. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00538443
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00538443...
] and due to its tumoral growth, it is necessarily attached to the origin bone wall, by a broad to narrow osseous pedicle [2525 Eller R, Sillers M. Common fibro-osseous lesions of the paranasal sinuses. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2006;39:585-600. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.otc.2006.01.013
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otc.2006.01.01...
]. These conditions led us to classify this as the least likely hypothesis.

Due to the overlapping of radiographic image [2929 Cha J, Mah J, Sinclair P. Incidental findings in the maxillofacial area with 3-dimensional cone-beam imaging. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop. 2007;132(1):7-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2005.08.041
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2005.08....
], sinus calcifications can be masked or underdiagnosed in these exams. CT is considered the gold standard exam for evaluation of paranasal sinuses, due to the details in the visualization of the anatomy [3030 Demeslay J, Vergez S, Serrano E, Chaynes P, Cantet P, Chaput B, et al. Morphological concordance between CBCT and MDCT: a paranasal sinus-imaging anatomical study. Surg Radiol Anat. 2016;38(1):71-78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00276-015-1509-5
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-015-1509-...
]. In this context, CBCT stands out, as it is the three-dimensional exam of choice for the dentomaxillofacial region. Due to its isotropic volume, it generates less distortion, increasing sharpness, with lower doses of radiation when compared to HCT [1313 Cho B, Jung YH, Hwang JJ. Maxillary antroliths detected by cone-beam computed tomography in an adult dental population. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019;49(1):59-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.59...
,2929 Cha J, Mah J, Sinclair P. Incidental findings in the maxillofacial area with 3-dimensional cone-beam imaging. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop. 2007;132(1):7-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2005.08.041
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2005.08....
]. The absence of overlap, the reconstructed volume that often exceeds the area of interest and the increased demand for exams have increased the number of incidental findings in these exams. The prevalence of incidental findings in MS in CBCT exams varies from 18.8% to 76.1% [33 Rosado LPL, Barbosa IS, Aquino SN, Junqueira RB, Verner FS. Dental students’ ability to detect maxillary sinus abnormalities: a comparison between panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019;49(3):191-199. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.191
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.19...
,44 Tadinada A, Fung K, Thacker S, Mahdian M, Jadhav A, Schincaglia GP. Radiographic evaluation of the maxillary sinus prior to dental implant therapy: a comparison between two-dimensional and three-dimensional radiographic imaging. Imaging Sci Dent. 2015;45(3):169-174. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2015.45.3.169
https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2015.45.3.16...
,66 Ritter L, Lutz J, Neugebauer J, Scheer M, Dreiseidler T, Zinser MJ, et al. Prevalence of pathologic findings in the maxillary sinus in cone-beam computerized tomography. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2011;111(5):634-640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tripleo.2010.12.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tripleo.2010.1...
,2929 Cha J, Mah J, Sinclair P. Incidental findings in the maxillofacial area with 3-dimensional cone-beam imaging. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop. 2007;132(1):7-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2005.08.041
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2005.08....
].

In the present case, a hyperdense, rounded shape image was incidentally found in the MS when a CBCT scan was acquired for other purposes. The atypical presentations of sinus calcifications represent a challenge for the radiologist and the clinician. This is made even more difficult when the radiologist does not have the patient’s clinical information. It is known that only a microscopic examination can confirm the diagnosis. However, in some cases, the absence of clinical symptoms or signs and the patient’s condition postpone or contraindicate surgical removal, leaving only the presumptive diagnosis based on the imaging exam. Within the spectrum of differential diagnoses, our radiographic diagnosis for the case is an antrolith, although the possibility of a calcified mucous retention phenomenon or osteoma cannot be completely ruled out. For these diagnostic hypotheses, no treatment is necessary in the absence of symptoms. We emphasize the need for biopsy and histopathological examination to define the diagnosis, but the absence of complaints and the patient’s age encourage us to adopt clinical-radiographic monitoring for the case. Regardless of the final diagnosis, the finding is certainly rare and deserves disclosure.

How to cite this article

  • Herreira-Ferreira M, Souza-Pinto GN, Tolentino ES, Chicarelli M, Iwaki LCV. Differential diagnosis for an unusual calcification in the maxillary sinus: case report. RGO, Rev Gaúch Odontol. 2022;70:e20220022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1981-86372022002220200187

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Edited by

Assistant editor: Marcelo Sperandio

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    02 Sept 2022
  • Date of issue
    2022

History

  • Received
    09 Oct 2020
  • Reviewed
    15 Dec 2020
  • Accepted
    26 Jan 2021
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