Odontogenic Sinusitis: Clinical Aspects at Ambulatory Care Services

Abstract

Odontogenic sinusitis is a common cause of unilateral maxillary sinusitis by way of dental diseases. Odontogenic sinusitis patients could be treated by both the dental department and the otolaryngology department collaboratively. The main purposes of this study were to identify and compare major characteristics and clinical features of odontogenic sinusitis in our institution. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 16 patients diagnosed with odontogenic sinusitis at Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo from 2014 through 2021. All clinical data including symptoms, radiology examination, and therapeutic modality were investigated. The mean age was 50.5 years (range 17 -87 years) . Most symptoms recorded were nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, post nasal drip, and buccal pain. Of those with an allergen test, Cedar (75%) was the most common.Exploratory puncture was performed in 6 patients (38%) and tooth extraction were performed in 8 patients (50%) . The teeth causing maxillary sinusitis was the second molar in 9 patients (56%) , first molar in 8 patients (50%) , and second premolar in 1 patient (6%) . In computed tomography (CT) , Lund -Mackay (LM) score showed a mean score of 6 (range to 3 -12) . Among 16 patients, 15 patients (94%) were given antimicrobial treatment with macrolide. Symptoms of all patients resolved spontaneously. 2 patients confirmed improvement (13%) in CT by macrolide lowdose therapy without exploratory puncture and tooth extraction. We showed the clinical features of odontogenic sinusitis cases from our institution that holds both dental and otolaryngology departments.Odontogenic sinusitis patients should be treated in cooperation with dentists.