Herniation of an Antral Polyp through an Oro-Antral Fistula

抄録

Epulis, a discrete sessile or pedunculated mass of fibrous tissue on the gingiva caused by chronic inflammation, is a common lesion. However, other lesions may occasionally exhibit exophytic growth and they must be differentiated from epulis. A 38-year-old Japanese female noticed a pedunculated soft mass on the alveolar ridge of the right maxillary third molar shortly after extraction of the tooth. The mass, which had periods of exacerbation and quiescence, was excised under a tentative diagnosis of epulis. Because histopathology revealed edematous, inflamed antral mucosa with a covering of ciliated columnar epithelium, a final diagnosis of herniation of antral polyp through an oro-antral fistula was established. Although a rare occurrence, herniation of antral polyp should be included in the differential diagnosis of exophytic lesions on the maxillary molar alveolar ridge if there is a history of dental extraction at the concerned area.