Question 1

what exactly is maxillary sinus disease?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation: Of the maxillary sinuses, which are on either side of your nose and above your upper teeth.  These sinuses have openings to your nose to allow drainage.  The most common problem with maxillary sinuses is port drainage and chronic inflammation.

Question 2

how big is the ostia to the maxillary sinus?

Accepted Answer

Pinhead: The osteomeatal unit is the size of a pinhead.  The course mucus takes to clear this pathway is rather circuitous and is dependent upon healthy mucosa and the wave-like action of cilia to progress appropriately.

Question 3

what in general is maxillary sinus disease.?

Accepted Answer

Sinusitis: Inflammation in the sinus.  It can be related to infection or not.

Question 4

what would mucosal thickening in the maxillary sinus mean?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation: In most cases this phrase is used to describe some level of sinus inflammation. Make sure you discuss your specific case with your treating physician.

Question 5

what colour fluid would you expect to find in a maxillary sinus cyst?

Accepted Answer

: A noninfected cyst would contain clear fluid while an infected cyst would contain pus.  On CT scan the cyst appears as a dark area as opposed to the bones which are bright.

Question 6

how is a maxillary sinus cyst removed surgically? is it painful afterwards?

Accepted Answer

Why bother?: I can't see image well. Most ENT's I know don't remove maxillary "retention" cysts, unless the think it is cancerous, eroding into bone, or causing infections or pressure by blocking the drainage (OMC obstruction). They are not believed to be painful themselves. Can do surgery through the nostril, or under upper lip.

Question 7

can an oaf grow in size if left untreated? possible complications if no intervention? oaf located in right maxillary sinus.

Accepted Answer

Shouild not grow: An oaf is one of the potential complications from extraction of posterior maxillary teeth.  If the oaf is small, it may resolve without any additional surgery.  A large oaf that remains open will allow fluids to pass between the mouth and your sinus and may be a persistent problem with sinus infections.

Question 8

what does mild opacification of the right maxillary sinus mean?

Accepted Answer

Early problem signs: A sinus on x-ray should appear black, . Opacification will appear white or grey. This could be  fluid, polyps or inflammation of the the mucosal membrane. See your doctor to determine the cause.

Question 9

what does extensive opacification of the right maxillary sinus mean?

Accepted Answer

Opacification: On a radiograph means that something that is normally lucent (dark on x-ray because it lacks density) has some level of radio-opaqueness.

This opacification can be due to fluid & mucus from sinusitis, blood from surgery or injury, bone grafting from sinus lifts, to cysts & other masses - benign and malignant.

That finding needs to be correlated with any current or recent symptoms, illnesses, etc.

Question 10

can you have some fluid in your maxillary sinus without actually having an infection?

Accepted Answer

Sinus fluid: It is possible.  However, sinus fluid can predispose the patient to recurrent infection.

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Doctor answers about:

Maxillary sinus

A member asked:

What exactly is maxillary sinus disease?

A member asked:

How big is the ostia to the maxillary sinus?

A member asked:

What in general is maxillary sinus disease.?

A member asked:

What would mucosal thickening in the maxillary sinus mean?

A member asked:

What colour fluid would you expect to find in a maxillary sinus cyst?

A member asked:

How is a maxillary sinus cyst removed surgically? is it painful afterwards?

A member asked:

Can an oaf grow in size if left untreated? possible complications if no intervention? oaf located in right maxillary sinus.

A member asked:

What does mild opacification of the right maxillary sinus mean?

A member asked:

What does extensive opacification of the right maxillary sinus mean?

A member asked:

Can you have some fluid in your maxillary sinus without actually having an infection?

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