Case Report: Ectopic third molar in the maxillary sinus with infected dentigerous cyst assessed by cone beam CT.

Ectopic development of teeth in nondental areas is uncommon, especially in the maxillary sinus. A panoramic radiograph is the routine diagnostic radiographic examination performed for this type of eruption, although cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is highly recommended for further localization of the ectopic tooth and assessment of the characteristics of any associated lesion before a surgical procedure. We report a case of a 13-year-old female student who presented with purulent discharge posterior to the upper right second molar with a bad taste and foul odour. Radiographic examination revealed a maxillary third molar tooth located at the posterosuperior aspect of the right maxillary sinus with a hyperdense lesion surrounding the crown, obliterating the sinus cavity. Both the tooth and dentigerous cyst were surgically removed under general anaesthesia through Caldwell-Luc antrostomy. After a three-month follow-up, the patient was symptom free and had an uneventful recovery. The rare and critical location of the reported third molar along with the infected dentigerous cyst indicates its complete enucleation to avoid complications as recurrence or malignant transformation. Copyright:

Introduction

An ectopic eruption is a condition characterized by the presence of a tooth in a non-dentate area, distant from its usual anatomical location. The aetiology of an ectopic eruption can be unclear; however, several theories have been put forward to describe the rise of this condition, such as: developmental disturbances like cleft palate; pathological processes like large cysts, which displace tooth buds to other areas; odontogenic and rhinogenic infections; or iatrogenic activity [1– 4].

The maxillary sinus is an unusual location for an ectopic eruption, although some cases have been reported with unconventional management approaches [5– 7].

Ectopic eruption reporting is rare; this case reports the unusual location of the eruption as well as the radiographic assessment and the surgical approach and is a contribution to the literature on this topic.

Case report

Initial presentation

A 13-year-old Caucasian female student reported to the oral and maxillofacial surgery clinic with the chief complaint of purulent discharge oozing just distal to the upper right second molar, with a bad taste and foul odour, that started two weeks before seeking treatment. Upon clinical examination, the patient had no intraoral or extraoral swelling, and there was a full complement of teeth on that arch except for teeth #18 and #28. All teeth were firm, vital and non-carious. A panoramic radiograph revealed ectopic eruption of the right maxillary third molar in the maxillary sinus with hyperdense lesion surrounding its crown and obliterating the sinus cavity ( Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Preoperative panoramic radiograph showing an ectopic eruption of the right maxillary third molar in a superior position near pterygomaxillary fissure inside the right maxillary sinus and surrounded by well-defined hyperdense lesion obliterating the right maxillary sinus cavity.

Diagnostic assessment and intervention

Further radiographic investigation using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) determined the exact location of the maxillary molar and the lesion extension since the molar was seen in close proximity to the infraorbital rim. CBCT showed the ectopic third molar with incompletely formed roots located in the posterosuperior aspect of the right maxillary sinus with a close approximation to the orbital floor superiorly and pterygoid plates posteriorly ( Figure 2a). The third molar was surrounded by a well-defined corticated hyperdense lesion measuring 23×36×35mm, occupying almost the whole cavity of the right maxillary sinus and causing mediolateral expansion of the alveolar ridge. The CBCT also revealed the destructive effect of the associated pericoronal lesion on the right maxillary sinus floor and buccal cortical plate, distal to tooth #17, causing oroantral communication, which explains the reason for the purulent discharge, the chief complaint of the patient ( Figure 2b, 2c, 2d and 2e). Differential diagnosis of the detected lesion was dentigerous cyst, odontogenic keratocyst or Gorlin cyst. Based on the clinical and radiographical examination, the surgical removal of the ectopic third molar along with cyst enucleation was planned through an intraoral approach under general anaesthesia induced via nasopharyngeal intubation. Induction of anaesthesia was achieved with propofol 2mg/kg, fentanyl 1µgm and atracurium 0.5 mg/kg, then maintained with propofol infusion 200µgm/kg/min, fentanyl 1µgm/kg/hour and atracurium 0.1 mg/kg every 20 minutes.

Figure 2.

Multiplanar cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) sections: ( a) three-dimensional; ( b) sagittal; ( c, d) axial; ( e) coronal slices showing the posterosuperior position of the ectopic right third maxillary molar inside the maxillary sinus with associated pericoronal hyperdense lesion and radiographic evidence of oroantral communication due to its destructive effect on the maxillary sinus floor and the alveolar ridge.

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon with 15 years of experience performed lateral sinus antrostomy, utilizing a standard Caldwell-Luc approach, with a bony window created in the anterolateral wall of the maxillary sinus ( Figure 3a). An incision was made through the Schneiderian membrane to enter the maxillary sinus. The cystic lining was identified, and the pus was drained prior to the complete removal of the cystic lining and extraction of the ectopic maxillary third molar ( Figure 3b). The antrum was thoroughly irrigated, and the cystic lining was placed in a 10% buffered formalin solution for subsequent histopathological examination and final diagnosis. The flap was closed with chromic catgut sutures with good approximation of edges. Postoperative antibiotics were given to the patient in form of 500 mg of amoxicillin every eight hours for a minimum of five days with an analgesic (325mg acetaminophen every four hours per day), also one dose of betamethasone 4 mg was given to prevent postoperative edema of the cheek, and the patient was instructed not to blow her nose for two weeks.

Figure 3.

( a) Perioperative image showing the bony window created in the anterior wall of the sinus. ( b) Underdeveloped ectopic molar with cystic lining.

Histopathologic examination reported a cystic cavity lined by a thin non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Part of the epithelial lining showed hyperplasia due to inflammation and long-standing lesion, and a connective tissue wall infiltrated with chronic inflammatory cells and composed of fibroblasts, collagen fibres and blood vessels, suggesting an infected dentigerous cyst ( Figure 4).

Figure 4.

( a, b) Photomicrograph of infected dentigerous cyst (×4, ×10). ( c) Photomicrograph of infected dentigerous cyst showing thin non-keratinized epithelium (×4).

Follow-up

A panoramic radiograph and CBCT were performed three months after the surgery. CBCT axial cuts revealed some bone formation in the mediolateral dimension when compared to the preoperative radiographs, which indicates that the bone is in the healing process ( Figure 5a).

Figure 5.

Multiplanar cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) slices: ( a) axial cut showing bone formation medially; ( b, c) sagittal and coronal cuts showing discontinuity of the antral floor and part of the anterior antral wall with oroantral communication starting distal to tooth #16.

Healing appeared to be better clinically than radiographically, the bone requiring longer time to form and be detected radiographically. There is improved bone healing in younger patients, and so we expect a quick healing process with our patient.

Postoperative CBCT scans showed opacification and mucosal lining thickening of the right maxillary sinus, as well as continued discontinuity of the posterolateral floor and part of the anterior wall of the right maxillary sinus ( Figure 5b and 5c).

Discussion

Ectopic eruption of teeth into dentate regions is relatively common, but such a condition in non-dentate areas like the mandibular condyle, sigmoid notch, or nasal cavity is rare, and the exact aetiology of this phenomenon is not clear [8]. In our case, we may suggest that the theory of the associated pericoronal pathology with the third molar might have caused its ectopic location.

According to latest review of literature [2], 51 patients were reported having ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus, with the third molars representing the higher prevalence of ectopic teeth, 21 cases. Occasionally, the tooth may erupt into the maxillary sinus and could be asymptomatic [9] or cause symptoms such as sinusitis or swelling, facial pain, rhinorrhoea, nasal obstruction and headache [10]. In the present case, the patient presented with purulent discharge distal to upper second molar and panoramic radiograph showed an ectopic third molar associated with a pericoronal lesion.

Some studies report that panoramic radiography is the radiographic examination of choice in ectopic cases because of its accuracy in detecting these structures and the low level of radiation to which the patient is subjected [6– 11]. However, the major disadvantage of two-dimensional panoramic radiography is the difficulty in interpreting the exact location of the ectopic tooth and the associated pathology because of the superimposition of different bony structures [12].

CBCT presents an accurate three-dimensional imaging modality that offers highly diagnostic images with a sub-millimetre resolution, short scanning time and reduced radiation dose up to 15 times less than multi-slice CT scans [13].

The CBCT assessment of our case allowed us to precisely locate the ectopic molar and showed the exact extension and effect of the associated pericoronal lesion on the surrounding structures. This allowed the preoperative identification of the cause of the purulent discharge and aided the surgeon during the surgical procedure, mainly to avoid any surgical complications due to the proximity to the orbital floor and pterygoid plates.

Alqerban et al. and Botticelli et al. reported better accuracy and significant interobserver agreement in the evaluation of ectopic canine location when using CBCT compared to panoramic radiography [11, 14]. The smallest field of view matched the clinical indication, recommended to minimize the radiation exposure to the patient [15].

In our case, histopathologic examination showed an associated infected dentigerous cyst with the ectopic molar, similar to what has been described previously in the literature, where the dentigerous cysts are the most common pathologic lesion associated with ectopic eruptions [16].

Caldwell-Luc antrostomy and full enucleation of the cyst was performed on our patient, as it provides a direct view of the maxillary sinus and allows instrumentation, irrigation and removal of large objects, making it the treatment of choice for surgery at the maxillary sinus [17].

Various techniques for managing ectopic teeth are mentioned in the literature, such as endoscopic assisted procedures [18, 19], as well as extra and trans-oral approaches [20]. Endoscopic approaches have less morbidity post and intraoperatively [21]. Liau et al. utilized the endoscopically assisted Caldwell-Luc approach for safer instrumentation of the supero-lateral aspect of the maxillary sinus, allowing direct line access for visualization of potential orbital floor defects. He concluded that this approach allowed accurate visualization of inaccessible areas of the maxillary sinus with the ability to perform surgical intervention under direct line access as required [19].

In the present paper, we report a case of infected dentigerous cyst associated with an ectopic molar within the maxillary sinus. Surgical removal for both was performed, and the entire pathologic antral tissue was removed completely and assessed histologically. There were no post-surgical complications, and the patient's postoperative healing was satisfactory.

Conclusion

Ectopic tooth eruptions in the maxillary sinus are rare. However, its association with dentigerous cysts is relatively common. A standard Caldwell-Luc approach is the management of choice to surgically extract the ectopic tooth along with excision of the pathologic tissue to avoid sinus or ophthalmic complications. Asymptomatic cases should be managed with a similar protocol due to their tendency to form cysts or malignancies.

Data availability

All data underlying the results are available as part of the article and no additional source data are required.

Consent

Written informed consent for publication of their clinical details and clinical images was obtained from the parent of the patient.

Thanks for this interesting, fully described, detailed, well written case.The manuscript needs minor revisions.

Some points need to be declared.

Title

Title need to be summarized and "assessed by cone beam CT" could be removed from the title. CT nowadays used routinely to diagnose the midface lesions for its difficult interpretation on plan panoramic films.

Case reports are usually describing a very rare condition however dentigerous cyst in the maxillary sinus is not uncommon.

Figure 3 is an intraoperative photo not perioperative image.

Usually dentigerous cyst is diagnosed mainly by association with impacted tooth so the conclusion of the paper needs to be more accurate as this case is not ectopic eruption.

The following paragraph is more accurately describing the present case: In the present paper, we report a case of infected dentigerous cyst associated with an ectopic molar within the maxillary sinus. Surgical removal for both was performed, and the entire pathologic antral tissue was removed completely and assessed histologically. There were no post-surgical complications, and the patient’s postoperative healing was satisfactory.

Introduction

Ectopic eruption definition needs more justification as the present tooth is ectopic but associated with large maxillary cyst and pushed superiorly as result of cyst enlargement.

Authors did not report any prevalence rate of the dentigerous cyst (which usually associated with impacted wisdom) in the maxillary sinus and also the rate for ectopic impacted teeth in the sinus.

Operation

The cystic lesion had discharge and was diagnosed as infected cyst, does the surgeon treat infection before opening the sinus especially as the cyst was communicate with the oral cavity and possibility of recurrent fistula is high? (Preoperative management of infected sinus is not mentioned).

Why is nasal anticongestant not prescribed as routine post sinus surgery (note that the sinus membrane appears still edematous in the CBCT)?

Are enough details provided of any physical examination and diagnostic tests, treatment given and outcomes?

Yes

Is the case presented with sufficient detail to be useful for other practitioners?

Yes

Is sufficient discussion included of the importance of the findings and their relevance to future understanding of disease processes, diagnosis or treatment?

Yes

Is the background of the case’s history and progression described in sufficient detail?

Yes

Reviewer Expertise:

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

Comment No 1

Title need to be summarized and "assessed by cone beam CT" could be removed from the title.

Reply to No 1

We prefer to keep the title as it is, we think its more enriching to the title to elaborate on the radiographic assessment of the case, especially that we noticed some ectopic cases were not evaluated using CBCT.

Comment No 2

Case reports are usually describing a very rare condition however dentigerous cyst in the maxillary sinus is not uncommon.

Reply to No 2

Our report is focusing on the ectopic location of the molar “which is a rare condition” and being associated with dentigerous cyst.

Comment No 3

Figure 3 is an intraoperative photo not perioperative image.

Reply to No 3

The prefix “Peri” means “Intra or during”, so no change will be performed. FYI prefix “Pre” means “before”

Comment No 4

Usually dentigerous cyst is diagnosed mainly by association with impacted tooth so the conclusion of the paper needs to be more accurate as this case is not ectopic eruption.

The following paragraph is more accurately describing the present case: In the present paper, we report a case of infected dentigerous cyst associated with an ectopic molar within the maxillary sinus. Surgical removal for both was performed, and the entire pathologic antral tissue was removed completely and assessed histologically. There were no post-surgical complications, and the patient’s postoperative healing was satisfactory.

Reply to No 4

a) The term “eruption” means emission, ejection or discharge. Since the molar was clinically “visible” in the maxillary sinus, it is scientifically correct to describe it as “eruption” inside maxillary sinus. Also, the term “ectopic eruption” was previously reported in papers published in indexed journals in same ectopic cases in maxillary sinus.

Paper examples: b) Conclusion preferably to contain a recommendation, your kind suggestion of the paragraph is already included in the paper, so we prefer to keep both.

Sharma S, Chauhan JS. Bilateral ectopic third molars in maxillary sinus associated with dentigerous cyst: A rare case report. International journal of surgery case reports. 2019 Jan 1; 61:298-301.

Lombroni LG, Farronato G, Santamaria G, Lombroni DM, Gatti P, Capelli M. Ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus: A case report and literature review. Indian Journal of Dental Research. 2018 Sep 1;29(5):667.

Jalal H, Hicham S, Lahcen K, Karim EK. Dentigerous Cyst Associated with an Ectopic Third Molar in the Maxillary Sinus: Report of Cases and Review of Literature. Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology Journal. 2018 Jan 1;9(1).

Comment No 5

Ectopic eruption definition needs more justification as the present tooth is ectopic but associated with large maxillary cyst and pushed superiorly as result of cyst enlargement

Reply to No 5

We already put general statement in the introduction about the definition of ectopic eruption and the different theories of the causes of its occurrence were discussed in the discussion part. In our case the third molar is in ectopic location and erupted inside the maxillary sinus where the associated pericoronal cyst was the suggested theory for its location.

Comment No 6

Authors did not report any prevalence rate of the dentigerous cyst (which usually associated with impacted wisdom) in the maxillary sinus and also the rate for ectopic impacted teeth in the sinus.

Reply to No 6

As it is a case report without review of literature, we didn’t go through prevalence of reported conditions, but we agree it is advantageous to be included.

Comment No 7

The cystic lesion had discharge and was diagnosed as infected cyst, does the surgeon treat infection before opening the sinus.

Reply to No 7

It was a chronic condition due to long standing infection, managing the case in this case will be symptomatic only, so we thought that best managing will be through surgical eradication of the source.

Possibility of recurrent fistula is high?

Patient had a 12 months post-surgery follow-up and no fistula was developed.

Why is nasal anticongestant not prescribed as routine post sinus surgery?

Reply

It was prescribed.

This study describes a case of a purulent infection that originated in a dentigerous cyst associated with an ectopic third molar in the maxillary sinus. Three diagnostic methods were utilized in this study. A panoramic radiograph was employed initially, followed by a more accurate imaging technique of CBCT to get more detailed information on the extent of the lesion, and to elicit a more accurate differential diagnosis. Finally a histopathological examination was done to achieve a final diagnosis. Successful treatment outcomes were accompanied by a satisfactory follow-up period, and this further increased the chances for a good prognosis.

The term “ectopic eruption” was used throughout the text, however, taking into consideration the age of the patient and the definition of “eruption”, it is preferable to replace it with the term “ectopic tooth”.

Literature review was thorough, however, several references were published more than a decade ago. It would be much improved by inclusion of more recent literature, especially case reports that tackle the topic of ectopic third molar in the maxillary sinus, and that take in consideration the young age of the patient. I thank authors for the informative manuscript and the solid treatment plan. I also encourage them to write a literature review on this topic.

Discussion: first paragraph mentions that exact aetiology is not clear, what do you think the aetiology for ectopic tooth is in your case?

Discussion: How many cases of ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus were reported so far? And how many of them were for third molars?

Are enough details provided of any physical examination and diagnostic tests, treatment given and outcomes?

Yes

Is the case presented with sufficient detail to be useful for other practitioners?

Yes

Is sufficient discussion included of the importance of the findings and their relevance to future understanding of disease processes, diagnosis or treatment?

Yes

Is the background of the case’s history and progression described in sufficient detail?

Yes

Reviewer Expertise:

Oral Medicine.

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

Comment No 1

The term “ectopic eruption” was used throughout the text, however, taking into consideration the age of the patient and the definition of “eruption”, it is preferable to replace it with the term “ectopic tooth”.

Reply to No 1:

The term “eruption” means emission, ejection or discharge. Since the molar was clinically “visible” in the maxillary sinus, it is scientifically correct to describe it as “eruption” inside maxillary sinus.

Also, the term “ectopic eruption” was previously reported in papers published in indexed journals in similar ectopic cases in maxillary sinus.

Paper examples:

-Sharma S, Chauhan JS. Bilateral ectopic third molars in maxillary sinus associated with dentigerous cyst.

—A rare case report. International journal of surgery case reports. 2019 Jan 1; 61:298-301.

-Lombroni LG, Farronato G, Santamaria G, Lombroni DM, Gatti P, Capelli M. Ectopic teeth in the maxillary

sinus: A case report and literature review. Indian Journal of Dental Research. 2018 Sep 1;29(5):667.

-Jalal H, Hicham S, Lahcen K, Karim EK. Dentigerous Cyst Associated with an Ectopic Third Molar in the Maxillary Sinus: Report of Cases and Review of Literature. Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology Journal. 2018 Jan 1;9(1).

Comment No 2

Literature review was thorough, however, several references were published more than a decade ago.

Reply to No 2:

We agree to some extent with this comment, reference no. 2 will be replaced with:

Lombroni L, Farronato G, Santamaria G, Lombroni D, Gatti P, Capelli M. Ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus: A case report and literature review. Indian J Dent Res. 2018;29(5):667.

For the rest of references, we cannot make any changes in them as we think that having diversity in time ranges in the references and enriches our literature, as we included also 2013/14/18 and 19 articles.

Comment No 3

Discussion: first paragraph mentions that exact aetiology is not clear, what do you think the aetiology for ectopic tooth is in your case?

Reply to No 3

There is no exact etiology for ectopic teeth development, there are multiple theories to get closer to the exact cause. We will add the following statement to get closer to the etiology of developing ectopic molar in our case:

"In our case, we may suggest that the theory of the associated pathology with the third molar might have caused its ectopic location".

(To be added at the end of the first paragraph in discussion).

Comment No 4

Discussion: How many cases of ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus were reported so far? And how many of them were for third molars?

Reply to No 4

According to latest review of literature 2018 (added ref no 2) there were 51 patients were observed, with higher prevalence of ectopic teeth in the third molars, 21 cases.

Lombroni L, Farronato G, Santamaria G, Lombroni D, Gatti P, Capelli M. Ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus: A case report and literature review. Indian J Dent Res. 2018;29(5):667.