title: Pneumosinus dilatans, pneumocoele or air cyst? A case report and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pathological paranasal sinus expansion secondary to air is uncommon. However, this condition may be symptomatic or cosmetically apparent, requiring surgical intervention. Various terms have been used to describe this condition, and nomenclature is controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 18-year-old man presented with right facial pain, and was subsequently found to have pneumosinus dilatans of the maxillary sinus. A search was conducted of the PubMed, Medline and Embase databases, using the key words 'pneumosinus dilatans', 'pneumoc(o)ele', 'pneumatoc(o)ele' and 'maxillary sinus'. Articles were also hand-searched. Relevant articles published in English were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The literature review identified 36 cases involving the maxillary sinus (including the present case), with 19 cases reported as pneumosinus dilatans, 12 as pneumocoeles, two as pneumatocoeles, two as pneumosinus dilatans multiplex and one as an air cyst. However, based on the strict classification described by Urken et al., the majority of these cases should be reclassified as pneumocoeles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whilst the nomenclature of this pathology is confusing, distinctions of terminology do not alter the management. Hence, we support the use of the term 'air cyst', to incorporate all these lesions.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Western Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. bm_teh@yahoo.co.uk
authors: B M
authors: BM
authors: Teh
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Hall
authors: S W
authors: SW
authors: Chan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000388:Air; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011312:Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects; D011859:Radiography; D009626:Terminology as Topic