Maxillary Sinus Hypoplasia [type]

Maxillary sinus hypoplasia Type II, is characterized by absence or hypoplasia of the uncinate process, an ill-defined infundibular passage, and soft-tissue density opacification of a significantly hypoplastic sinus. Typically, the lateral wall of the nasal cavity in the area of the hypoplastic maxillary sinus is in vegetated laterally. This diagnosis can only be confirmed by CT scan. The soft tissue density in the hypoplastic maxillary sinus usually consists of entrapped thick mucus. As seen in this right nasal cavity, the uncinate process is absent and the lateral wall retracted medially just below the middle turbinate. %). Recognition of associated anomalies of the uncinate process in patients with maxillary sinus hypoplasia undergoing sinus surgery is of utmost clinical significance because the uncinate process serves as a key landmark during functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Failure to recognize hypoplasia or absence of the uncinate process could lead to inadvertent intraoperative damage to the adjacent medial orbital wall.