• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2012

Maxillary sinus hypoplasia (MSH) is an uncommon clinical disease that represents a persistent decrease in sinus volume, which results from centripetal reaction of the maxillary sinus walls. We present a unilateral MSH case of a 46-year-old male patient with a history of nasal obstruction and headache for 3 years. He had a history of Caldwell Luc operation (CLOP) 10 years ago, and no enophthalmos, hypoglobus or facial asymmetry. After confirming the right diagnosis of MSH, filled with bone in the computed tomography scan, hyperplastic bone was removed by the CLOP approach. The uncinate process and infundibular passage were found to be degenerated and ostium was also examined to be obstructed under endoscopic confirmation. MSH can be mistaken for chronic maxillary sinusitis because of the plain x-ray appearance, so the aggravated state of MSH can be the result of surgeon's misjudgment. With additional literature reviews, this rare experience is first introduced in our Korean oral and maxillofacial surgery field.