Maxillary sinusitis caused by retained dental impression material: An unusual case report and literature review

Abstract

Surgical procedures in posterior area of maxillary might cause an oroantral communication and iatrogenic sinusitis. An undetected oroantral communication can cause the penetration of foreign bodies, such as dental impression materials, in the maxillary sinus, thereby contributing to persistent sinusitis. Given the occurrence of a very rare clinical and medicolegal case of persistent and drug-resistant sinusitis due to radiologically undetected fragments of silicone paste for dental impression in the maxillary antrum, a literature review was pursued through sensitive keywords in relevant databases for health sciences. All retrieved articles were considered and data about the kind of impression materials thrusted into the maxillary sinus, the diagnostic issues, the reported range of symptoms, and the occurrence of medicolegal issues were analyzed. The diagnosis resulted to be quite challenging and belatedly especially in case of healed oroantral communication and when the material retained in the maxillary sinus has similar radiodensity compared to the surrounding normal or inflammatory tissues. The case was then discussed in comparison with the reviewed literature for both clinical and medicolegal issues. Hints were provided to professionals to face the challenging diagnosis in similar rare cases and to avoid the possible related litigation.

Keywords: Dental impression material; dentist negligence; iatrogenic sinusitis; oroantral communication; retained foreign body.