Cholesteatoma versus mucocele of the maxillary sinus

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

CHOLESTEATOMA VERSUS MUCOCELE OF THE MAXILLARY SINUS To the Editor:-The recent article by Sadoff and Pliskin, “Cholesteatoma (Keratoma) of the Maxillary Sinus” (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 47:873, 1989) reports a good example of that rare lesion. However, having studied mucoceles of the maxillary sinus,’ I believe that the cholesteatoma is simply a histologic variant of the mucocele in which the epithelium has become squamous. Squamous metaplasia is a common feature of antral mucoceles, and the histopathologic features of the two lesions are similar. Moreover, their biologic behavior is identical-they both destroy the bony wall of the sinus focally, eventually causing facial swelling. It follows that the etiology of the cholesteatoma is probably the

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SHANNON RENA GREEN Abducted by an unknown individual Date Missing: 07/06/86 Missing From: Owensboro, KY Date of Birth: 09/21/69 Age at Disappearance: 16 years Race: White Sex: Female Weight: 110 lb Height: 5 ft, 4 in Eyes: Blue Hair: Brown Identifying Information: Was last seen wearing black jogging shorts, aqua green top, and tennis shoes. Also wearing a chain with a gold heart, an engagement ring, other rings and a gold watch. Red mark on back of neck at hairline and light brown birthmark the size of a quarter on the back of right arm. Circumstances: Last seen at 12:30 PM walking from 2nd & Polar Street to 12th 8~ Haines to visit a friend approximately 2 miles away. ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 1-800-843-5678 OR Owensboro Police Department (Kentucky) Missing Persons Unit l-502-685-8300 (24 hours) l-502-685-8311

same as that of the antral mucocele: obstruction of the ostium by trauma, by inflammation with consequent swelling of the mucosa, or by a tumor. In this connection, I am referring to the true mucocele of the maxillary sinus, not the nondestructive pseudocyst that has so often been referred to inaccurately as an antral mucocele.* DAVID G. GARDNER, DDS, MSD Denver, Colorado

References 1. Gardner HG, Gullane PJ: Mucoceles of the maxillary sinus. Oral Surg 62538, 1986 2. Gardner DG: Pseudocysts and retention cysts of the maxillary sinus. Oral Surg 58561, 1984