Endoscopic removal of an unusual foreign body in the sphenoid sinus: an oral implant.
OBJECTIVE
Migration of oral implants displaced in the maxillary sinus toward the sphenoid sinus is an extremely rare event. This case report is focused on the possibility of treating such a rare complication by means of endoscopic treatment through the nasal cavity.


METHODS
A 45-year-old female patient received one oral implant for the substitution of the left first upper molar, but during the surgical procedure the implant was displaced in the maxillary sinus. Owing to a delay in treatment, a spontaneous migration of the implant in the sphenoid sinus occurred.


RESULTS
The implant was removed endoscopically through the nasal cavity: postoperative recovery was uneventful.


CONCLUSIONS
To the authors' knowledge, this case represents the first report concerning migration of an oral implant into the sphenoid sinus and demonstrates the reliability and safety of an endoscopically driven surgical removal of the foreign body, thus preventing potential complications with extremely low postoperative morbidity.
Felisati
Giovanni
G
Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Lozza
Paolo
P
Chiapasco
Matteo
M
Borloni
Roberto
R
D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome