Large Grafting Void Resembling a Surgical Ciliated Cyst following Maxillary Sinus Augmentation. Four Case Reports with Histological Observation

Abstract

The cause and pathogenicity of grafting voids following lateral maxillary sinus augmentation (MSA) have not yet been elucidated. The first purpose of this case series is to introduce an unusually large grafting void that radiologically resembles a surgical ciliated cyst (SCC) at the sinus augmented site; the second is to observe the histological findings of these grafting voids. In four patients, MSA was performed using the lateral window technique. An unusually large grafting void appeared on cone-beam-computed tomography (CBCT) taken one week after surgery and except for one patient, there were no clinical symptoms. On CBCT taken six months after surgery, the grafting voids were slightly smaller in size but showed radiographic findings similar to those of SCC. During uncovering, grafting voids were removed through the lateral window site. Histologically, the grafting void was empty or filled with dense connective tissue, and no ciliated columnar epithelium or inflammatory cells were observed. Within the limitations of this case series, the large grafting voids generated after MSA was not converted to SCCs. Rather, they remained scar tissue, which could infringe the sinus bone graft and affect the apical bone support of the implant.