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Maxillary sinus hypoplasia

Case contributed by Heba Abdelmonem
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Chronic facial pain with headache

Patient Data

Age: 40 years
Gender: Female
ct

Both maxillary sinuses are hypoplastic. The right side shows normally developed uncinate process and a well-developed infundibulum consistent with Bolger type I. The left side demonstrates a hypoplastic uncinate process and poorly defined or absent infundibulum consistent with a Bolger type II. 

Case Discussion

Hypoplasia of maxillary sinus is uncommon and as it is asymptomatic it is usually identified as an incidental finding when CT is obtained for other reasons. 

Bolger described a classification of maxillary sinus hypoplasia in 1990 as follows:

  • Type I
    • mild hypoplasia
    • normally developed uncinate process
    • well developed infundibulum
  • Type II
    • significant hypoplasia
    • hypoplastic / absent uncinate process
    • poorly defined or absent infundibulum
  • Type III
    • profound hypoplasia
    • absent uncinate process

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