Clinical Characteristics of Odontogenic and Non-Odontogenic Unilateral Chronic Maxillary Sinusitis

Background and Objectives Unilateral maxillary sinusitis and maxillary sinus fungus ball has diverse etiologies with an increased prevalence. Odontogenic sinusitis is a common cause of maxillary sinusitis and has received minimal attention from physicians. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical and immunopathological characteristics of unilateral maxillary sinusitis, focusing on those with and without odontogenic etiologies.Subjects and Method A total of 327 patients with unilateral maxillary sinusitis were included in this study. They were divided into four groups: group 1, non-odontogenic maxillary sinusitis; group 2, odontogenic maxillary sinusitis; group 3, non-odontogenic maxillary fungus ball; and group 4, odontogenic maxillary fungus ball. Their medical records were reviewed, and interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-a expression in the sinus mucosa were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results Of the 327 patients, 76 had non-odontogenic maxillary sinusitis, 71 had odontogenic maxillary sinusitis, 102 had non-odontogenic maxillary fungus ball, and 78 had odontogenic maxillary fungus ball. Mean age, sex proportion, olfactory function score, prevalence of smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly different among the four groups. Only IL-8 was significantly increased in the sinus mucosa of odontogenic maxillary fungus ball.Conclusion The prevalence of unilateral maxillary sinusitis, maxillary fungus ball, and odontogenic maxillary sinusitis is continuously increasing. They exhibit different clinical and immunopathological characteristics based on their etiological factors.