Ectopic eruption of canine into maxillary sinus with unusual clinical presentation: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

A 45-year-old female patient was referred by the neurologist to the maxillofacial surgery department for the management of an ectopic maxillary canine which was found in the left maxillary sinus during a routine computed tomography (CT) scan for an unusual left-sided facial pain with associated left unilateral headache that was refractory to all given medications. The duration of pain and headache had been on and off for 10 months with the last episode preceding the routine CT scan lasting >3 weeks. There was no history of sinusitis, nasal discharge, or nasal blockage. Intraoral examination showed missing upper left canine. A computed tomographic scan showed ectopic eruption of the left maxillary canine into the left maxillary sinus in close proximity to the infraorbital foramen with no associated antral pathology. Caldwell-Luc approach was employed to surgically extract the ectopic canine while preserving the left infraorbital nerve. Although there was no lesion associated with the ectopic canine in the maxillary sinus, the extraction of the tooth led to the resolution of the headache and facial pain.