MRI found retention cyst; relevant?

[DavidAM]

Hi. I had an MRI a couple of weeks ago, and my results just came in; they found a retention cyst in my left maxillary sinus. It's 22 x 19 x 20 mm. Could this be contributing to my apnea or hindering APAP's effectiveness?

[G. Szabo]

If it is late enough, it could protrude into the nasal airway and cause some blockade, hindering the effectiveness of nasal masks. But you can switch to an FF mask. 
It would be best to discuss it with an MD and a surgeon.

[BoxcarPete]

That sounds like it's almost the size of your entire sinus. I would not be surprised at all to hear that it was a factor in your sleep breathing problems. I agree that it's worth discussing with an otolaryngologist.

[SarcasticDave94]

Yep, better get that looked at by the doctor. Seriously it sounds big enough to hinder breathing at the least.

[Deborah K.]

That's pretty big - .866 inch. Talk to your ENT about it.

[DavidAM]

Thank you all. It seems that it's not protruding into my airway, so we won't do anything about it. What I do have, though, is a very enlarged turbinate; he recommended me to get inspected by a surgeon, and I got an appointment next month. It may help me.

[BoxcarPete]

Personally, I would not be satisfied with that answer. If the surgeon thinks the turbinates are worth working on, have them clear the sinus while they're in there.

Also, for turbinate surgery make sure you have the right method. Submucosal microdebrider resection with outfracture (if indicated) is the best method and what I had done, and radiofrequency ablation is a close second. I would not allow them to do anything else to my nose if I were going in for turbinate reduction.

[DavidAM]

Thank you, I will talk to him about your suggestions during our appointment. Can they clear them out at the same time?

[PeaceLoveAndPizza]

We are not doctors. Talk to your doctor.

[BoxcarPete]

I have no idea how your health system works. It might be possible to have both done together even if they won't do anything about the sinus on its own, or they may decline to clear it regardless. As PL&P says, we are not your doctors. I would request it, and put up a little fight if they say no the first time, but ultimately it may not be something you have any real control over if your doctor decides it's not worth removing.