[Mucocele of the chin area. A rare complication after genioplasty with osteocartilagenous nasal bone transplant. Review of the literature and case report].

BACKGROUND: This paper describes an infrequent case of an intraosseous mucocele after chin augmentation using a nasal osseocartilaginous graft. Diagnostics, therapy, and clinical course of this rare complication are discussed based on our own experience and a review of the current scientific literature. CASE REPORT: Radiological examination of a 22-year-old patient revealed an oval lucent area approximately 3x1 cm in size with sclerotic rim. Cartilaginous material directly fused to the cyst wall was detected during surgery. The results of histological examination indicated parts of a cyst wall lined with respiratory epithelium located over normally maturing cartilaginous tissue. Postoperative long-term drainage with consecutive reduction of the cyst lumen was followed by cystectomy and concurrent osteoplasty and onlay graft. DISCUSSION: This case presented here is-as far as we know-one of three manifestations of a respiratory implantation cyst published. Its origin is most likely based on epithelium-like cells that have been incompletely removed from the resected nasal hump. Although severe complications of this technique have rarely been described, the surgeon must be aware of possible long-term side effects and should meticulously remove adherent nasal mucosa from the graft.