Dental implant as a potential risk factor for maxillary sinus fungus ball.
Sun A Han, Sungtae Kim, Yuju Seo, Seung Koo Yang, Chae-Seo Rhee, Doo Hee Han
Author Information
Sun A Han: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hwaseong-si, Republic of Korea.
Sungtae Kim: Department of Periodontology, Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University School of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Yuju Seo: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Daehakro 101, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Seung Koo Yang: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Daehakro 101, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Chae-Seo Rhee: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Daehakro 101, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Doo Hee Han: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Daehakro 101, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. handh@snu.ac.kr.
Fungus ball is the most common form of non-invasive fungal sinusitis, and maxillary sinus is the most commonly involved site. Maxillary sinus fungus ball (MFB) accounts for a considerable proportion of unilateral maxillary sinusitis. The prevalence of MFB has recently increased; however, its contributing factors are unclear. This study analyzed the association between MFB and dental implants. One hundred one patients who underwent unilateral maxillary sinus surgery were divided into two groups based on surgical biopsy results: unilateral bacterial sinusitis (UBS, n = 45) and MFB (n = 56). Stratified random sampling of 30 patients from each group was performed to adjust for age. The number of dental implants on maxillary teeth and degree of penetration into the maxillary sinus was radiologically evaluated. The number of patients with dental implants was greater (P = 0.085) and the number of implants was significantly higher (P = 0.031) in the MFB group. Dental implant can be a potential risk factor for MFB development. Therefore, dental implant surgeons should take caution in penetrating the maxillary sinus floor during implant insertion and otolaryngologists should consider the possibility of fungus ball when assessing patients with sinusitis who have dental implants.
