Unilateral Maxillary Hypoplastic Sinus: A Case Report

Understanding maxillary sinus hypoplasia (MSH) and associated sinonasal variants is crucial for the success of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in maxillary sinus and maxillary dental implant surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate a rare case of unilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia associated with lower orbital floor displacement, without involving the Uncinate process. A 31-year-old woman presented to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Babol Dental School for rhinoplasty without any complaints of headache or nasal congestion. She had no history of trauma, congenital or bone diseases/abnormalities. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images revealed left maxillary sinus hypoplasia, lower orbital floor, and increased thickening of the sinus mucosa. The patient's photograph also showed lower displacement of the orbital floor. The diagnosis of unilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia in this study was based on clinical manifestations and coronal views of CBCT and CT scans. Symptoms of hypoplastic sinus include chronic headache, facial pain, voice problems, or may sometimes be asymptomatic. If the surgeon is not aware of the hypoplasticity of the sinus, complications during surgery may increase, including post-surgery complications such as visibility of the low orbital floor and resulting patient confusion. This study highlights the importance of using CBCT as a valuable diagnostic tool to identify anatomical variations and details of the hypoplastic sinus. This approach helps the surgeon to inform the patient and provide an appropriate treatment plan, especially in cases involving dental implants or sinus surgery.