Ectopic teeth erupted in the maxillary sinus are rarely reported. Although the causes of eruption of a tooth into the maxillary sinus are unclear, some clinical conditions are suspected to be responsible, such as developmental disturbances (cleft palate), displacement of teeth by trauma, interventions or cyst, infection, genetic factors, crowding, and dense bone. Most cases of ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus are asymptomatic and are occasionally diagnosed thanks to routine radiographic investigations.The aim of this article is to present and discuss the surgical management of an ectopic third molar in the roof of the maxillary sinus.
Maxillary sinus floor elevation carries the potential risk of compromising the sinus physiology. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess mucociliary function during maxillary sinus augmentation in patients without preoperative signs of maxillary sinusitis. Ten patients underwent unilateral sinus floor elevation under local anesthesia and endoscopic control. Methylene blue was dropped on the floor of the maxillary sinus to evaluate mucociliary function until the ostium region during sinus augmentation. The drainage of methylene blue was noticed in the lateral, medial, posterior, and anterior walls and in the roof of the sinus. As for the sinus floor, only the detached part of mucosa in correspondence of the eroded bony window presented not drained methylene blue, showing an absence of mucociliary function. Mucociliary function is preserved even during the surgical procedure except for the detached area of the schneiderian membrane.
Surgical management of medial wall orbital fractures should be considered to avoid diplopia and posttraumatic enophthalmos. Treatment of these fractures remains a challenge for the maxillofacial surgeon because of complex anatomy and limited vision. This article aims to retrospectively evaluate the outcomes in the repair of medial orbital wall fractures using a retrocaruncular approach and titanium meshes, comparing the placement of the titanium mesh with three different techniques: (1) conventional free hand under direct vision, (2) with the assistance of an endoscope, and (c) with the assistance of a navigation system. Eighteen patients who underwent surgery for orbital medial wall fracture were enrolled in the study. On the basis of the implant placement technique, three groups were identified: group 1 (CONV), conventional free hand under direct vision; group 2 (ENDO), endoscopically assisted; group 3 (NAVI), a navigational system assisted (BrainLab, Feldkirchen, Germany). The postoperative quality of orbital reconstruction was assessed as satisfactory in 12 cases, good in 4 cases, and unsatisfactory in 2 cases. Particularly in group 1 (CONV) in four patients out of eight, the posterior ledge of the fracture was not reached by the implant and in one patient the mesh hinged toward the ethmoid. In group 3 (NAVI), in one patient out of five, the posterior ledge of the fracture was not reached. In conclusion, titanium orbital mesh plates and retrocaruncular approach are a reliable method to obtain an accurate orbital medial wall reconstruction. The use of endoscopic assistance through the surgical incisions improves accuracy of treatment allowing better visualization of the surgical field. Navigation aided surgery is a feasible technique especially for complex orbital reconstruction to improve predictability and outcomes in orbital repair.
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