Oroantral fistula

Last revised by Tom Foster on 2 Nov 2019

Oroantral fistulas are a pathological communication between the oral cavity and the maxillary sinus (antrum).

The term oroantral fistula is similar to but not synonymous with the term oroantral communication (OAC). An oro-antral fistula refers to an "epithelialized" pathological unnatural communication between the oral cavity and the maxillary sinus. It develops when the oro-antral communication fails to close spontaneously, remains patent and becomes epithelialized 6.

There is a slightly greater male predilection 2.

Oroantral fistulas may be subtyped by location into:

They can result from a number of reasons:

Typically seen as a disruption or defect involving the bony floor of the maxillary sinus with soft-tissue opacification or fluid involving the ipsilateral sinus. 

Oroantral fistulas <2 mm wide usually heal without intervention, larger fistulas may require surgery 7.

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