Maxillary Sinus Mucopyocele in a Fifty-eight-year-old man: A Possible Late Complication of Irradiation to Head and Neck

INTRODUCTION: A mucocele is an epithelial-lined, mucus-containing sac that can fill the sinus completely and expand gradually. Mucopyocele is an infected mucocele.

CASE REPORT: We presented a case of left maxillary mucopyocele in a 58-year-old man that developed after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Computed tomography scan showed opacification of the left maxillary sinus expanding through the medial wall of the antrum with thinning and destruction of the adjacent structures. Endoscopic marsupialization of the lesion and left partial maxillectomy were performed. The cystic mass had yellowish thick mucopurulent fluid that was completely drained.

CONCLUSIONS: A few cases of sphenoid sinus mucocele as a late complication of radiation therapy have been reported. Maxillary mucocele and mucopyocele can be considered as one of the late complications of radiotherapy to head and neck as a result of occlusion of sinus ostia by scarred mucosa.