Most mucous retention cysts (MRC) are asymptomatic2; however, when they cause symptoms like headache, periorbital or facial pain, repeated infections of the paranasal sinuses, and/or nasal obstruction, surgical treatment may be necessary3.
It is important to observe the differentiation between mucoceles and retention cysts: mucoceles develop from sinus ostium obstruction, and the cavity becomes completely filled with mucus involved by the sinusal mucosa; on the other hand, retention cysts do not fill completely the cavity and are formed by the ductal
Annoying as they can be, the good news is that mucoceles are harmless, with no risk of transformation into skin cancer. Rarely, the cyst can rupture into the tissue of the lip, causing inflammation and granuloma formation, which ultimately results in scarring; however these cases represent a minority.
Then, the cyst may be removed through a minor endoscopic sinus surgery that includes either enucleation, which is removing the entire lesion without rupturing it, or using curettage, which removes the cyst with a special loop-shaped instrument.
In the majority of the cases it is asymptomatic, and discovered on routine radiographic examinations. However, in some cases, this cyst can become large and cause symptoms as paresthesia, sensitivity to palpation, chronic headache, nasal blockage, and dizziness.
The mechanical trauma may result from lip biting, commonly under stress, or because of constant contact with a sharp tooth, or continuous thrusting of the tongue against the teeth. The trauma is typically the initiatory factor except in the glands of the posterior part of the hard palate and the soft palate.
Antrochoanal polyp: A single polyp arising from the maxillary sinus from a twisted “stalk†of mucosa. Mucus retention cyst: A benign fluid-filled cyst, often in the maxillary sinus, that tends to not grow. Tumors: Several types of tumors, both benign and cancerous, can arise from the paranasal sinuses.
Maxillary sinus retention cysts are common incidental findings on imaging and are usually of no clinical significance. Retention cysts that resolve on follow-up imaging are thought to spontaneously rupture, but there is rarely any clinical history or imaging to support this theory.
Generally, treatment includes enucleation of the cyst and/or surgical excision, including endoscopic observation in some cases. Long-term multidisciplinary postoperative patient observation should be performed, especially in cases with high recurrence.
Natural remedies for chronic sinus infections
- Drinking plenty of fluids. Fluids help to thin out mucus, which makes it easier to pass through your sinus passages.
- Applying warm compresses. Create a warm compress using a soft washcloth and warm (not hot) water.
- Using a neti pot.
Ethmoid sinusitis is the inflammation of a specific group of sinuses — the ethmoid sinuses — which sit between the nose and eyes. The ethmoid sinuses are hollow spaces in the bones around the nose. They have a lining of mucus to help prevent the nose from drying out.
Mucocoeles are collections of mucus enclosed in a sac of lining sinus epithelium within an air sinus resulting from an obstruction to the outlet of the cavity which may cause an expansion of the sinus by resorption of the bony walls.
If the mucocele is persistent or large in size, your dental professional might use cryotherapy, laser treatment, or surgery to remove the cyst. Do not try to remove or rupture the cyst at home. Mucoceles can recur, so your dental professional might recommend removing the damaged or blocked salivary gland as well.
Treating a mucous cyst is often not necessary. In most cases, the cyst will heal on its own over time. It is important not to pick at or pop the cyst. This can result in an open wound, which may become infected or cause permanent scarring.
The cysts are usually small and often painless. When they form by the base of a fingernail or toenail, they can make the nail split, and sometimes cause nail loss. Digital mucous cysts may go away on their own, or you may need a doctor to surgically remove them.
Mucocele is not contagious and usually goes away naturally without the need for treatment. However, in some cases, minor surgery by a dentist may be necessary to remove the affected cyst and salivary gland.
While mucoceles are not typically dangerous, they can cause scar tissue to form when left untreated. Mucoceles, especially deep mucoceles, can be painful. It is common for a patient with a mucocele on the lower lip to bite the mucocele over and over again.
Patients with cysts of the maxillary sinus may present to the ophthalmologist with proptosis, enophthalmos, diplopia, ptosis, epiphora, and, rarely, decreased visual acuity.
Depending on the underlying cause, medical therapies may include:
- Intranasal corticosteroids. Intranasal corticosteroids reduce inflammation in the nasal passages.
- Oral corticosteroids. Oral corticosteroids are pill medications that work like intranasal steroids.
- Decongestants.
- Saline irrigation.
- Antibiotics.
- Immunotherapy.
Mucoceles can be a source of pain when they are large enough to cause pressure against the bony walls of the sinus. Maxillary mucocele can cause sinusitis through ostiomeatal obstruction. Frontoethmoidal mucocele is the most clinically significant and can cause frontal headache and orbital pain.
These cysts usually appear as rounded, dome-shaped, soft tissue masses, most often on the floor of the maxillary sinus.
