An Unusual Giant Osteoma of the Maxillary Sinus: Case Report

Paranasal sinus osteoma is the most common benign tumour of the paranasal sinuses. Osteomas are described as giant when they measure more than 3 cm in diameter or weigh over 110 g. Giant osteomas of the maxillary sinus are extremely rare. Aetiology is unknown, but there are three theories about the causes, ‘The Developmental theory’, ‘The Trauma Theory’ and ‘The Infection Theory’. Osteomas are often noticed incidentally in radiological examinations, unless they are symptomatic. Symptomatic osteomas or/and osteomas occupying more than 50% of the sinus volume are treated surgically. An intraoral approach is often preferred for paranasal sinus osteomas. These tumours have also been associated with Gardner’s syndrome. No malignancy transformation has ever been reported and they have an overall excellent prognosis. In this paper, we describe a case of a 37-year-old woman, with a giant osteoma in the left maxillary sinus. The presence of osseous septums attaching the tumour to the walls of the maxillary sinus, creating a star-shaped configuration, has been previously described in only one case.