Root resorption caused by a maxillary sinus mucocele: a case report

A maxillary sinus mucocele is an infrequent but benign lesion that develops from the obstruction of a seromucous glandular duct of the maxillary sinus mucosa. This clinical entity is generally asymptomatic and self-limited. Mucoceles are described as rounded dome-shaped soft tissue masses frequently located on the floor of the maxillary sinus. In this paper, we present a case of a slightly radiopaque well defined shadow arising from the left maxillary sinus floor that produced the root resorption of the upper second left molar. After the surgical removal of the lesion through a Caldwell-Luc approach, histologic study confirmed the initial diagnosis of mucocele. This case report emphasizes the need of clinical and radiologic follow-up to detect any complications associated with these benign lesions, because, in rare occasions, they can show an aggressive growth pattern.