Right & Left Maxillary Sinus Retention Cyst Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Sinuses are interconnected hollow cavities within the skull, positioned in various locations on the face. They are referred to as "paranasal sinuses" since they are positioned around the nose and are related to the nasal cavity.

The paranasal sinuses are called after the bones in which they are positioned. The maxillary sinuses, which are located on either side of the nose and close to the cheekbones, are the biggest set of sinuses.

The maxillary sinus retention cyst is a harmless growth that happens when a seromucous gland or duct gets blocked. The majority of the time, there are no symptoms, although they can occasionally be present along with facial pain, headaches, nasal blockage, and other symptoms. However, there are also varying views regarding whether or not the symptoms are directly connected to the retention cyst. In most cases, these cysts do not require any kind of therapy. Treatment can be given, though, for both diagnostic and therapeutic reasons when symptoms are present. 

Right & Left Maxillary Sinus

There are four main sinus chambers in the human head, but the right and left maxillary sinuses are among the most significant and vital. They function as a humidifier, filter, and purifier of the air that enters the nasal passages and are positioned in the upper jawbone. Additionally, they help give our facial features spatial dimension. Due to their deep and intricate structure, it is usual for bacteria or viruses to enter these areas, which can result in severe problems if left untreated. To catch any abnormalities in these intriguing sinus canals early, it's smart to get checked by an ear, nose, and throat specialist on a regular basis.

Maxillary Sinus Retention Cyst Symptoms

The majority of people are unaware they have maxillary sinus retention cysts, despite the fact that they are a rather prevalent condition. These cysts typically cause no signs or symptoms and are identified through an imaging test.

But occasionally, a maxillary sinus retention cyst can get quite large or clog the sinus, leading to a variety of symptoms. They might consist of:

• sensations of tingling or numbness
• Irritation or hypersensitivity
• Recurring headaches
• Obstruction of the nasal passages
• Dizziness

Maxillary Sinus Retention Cyst Causes

When mucus leaks from the nasal mucosa due to a blocked duct, a benign and self-limiting injury known as a mucous retention cyst develops. The fact that people with dentate and edentulous conditions can also develop mucous retention cysts of the maxillary sinus has led some experts to hypothesize that they are not dental in origin.

The obstruction of a seromucinous gland is the most prevalent cause of mucous retention cysts, which are more common than other types of cysts. The buildup of fluid in the submucosal layer gives rise to serous retention cysts. Imaging studies show that both varieties of retention cysts are soft tissue masses that are smooth and convex on the outside.

Most retention cysts stay the same from one study to the next, but in some cases, they go away completely. The generally accepted explanation proposes that the fluid-filled sac bursts, resulting in the disappearance of the cyst. Despite the great prevalence of retention cysts, the signs and symptoms of a ruptured retention cyst have not been documented in any literature to our knowledge.

Maxillary Sinus Retention Cyst Treatment

There is no treatment that should be given for MRCMS, especially when the lesion is tiny and has no symptoms associated with it. Only radiographic monitoring is advised because some regress spontaneously and most do not evolve. Enucleation or curettage should be used for treatment in cases where the lesion is bigger or symptomatic.

A simple endoscopic sinus procedure called curettage, which involves extracting the cyst using a particular loop-shaped instrument, can be used to remove the cyst. Enucleation involves eliminating the entire lesion without rupturing it. The majority of patients report feeling either no pain at all or only moderate discomfort after surgery.