A pathological mass in maxillary antrum

Residual cyst is nothing else than a radicular cyst that is retained in the jaw after removal of the affected tooth. However, residual cyst in maxillary antrum is a rare finding.

We present a case of 27 year old female with a chief complaint of drainage of pus from the upper jaw since one year. Patient had large swelling on the left upper back region of jaw, initially which was diagnosed as a space infection, I&D was performed following the extraction of left upper third molar under LA. Antibiotics and analgesic were prescribed. Following treatment swelling subsided, although patient complained of pus or salty water discharge from the left upper sulcus of mouth on further weekly follow up. Preliminary radiograph (OMV) was done which revealed a radiopaque mass in the left maxillary antrum. CT scan was done to ascertain the extension of pathology towards infra temporal region, which showed no such extension. Enucleation of the mass was done by Caldwell luc procedure under general anaesthesia. Histopathologic diagnosis came as residual cyst. At two months follow up, the pus discharge had ceased.

Hence, this paper presentation adds one more case in the series of rare presentation of residual cyst of maxillary antrum.