Paranasal sinus obliteration in Wegener granulomatosis.

Abstract

Fourteen patients with Wegener granulomatosis in whom one or more paranasal sinuses were obliterated by bone are reported. The maxillary antra were involved in all cases, with the other sinuses being affected less frequently. These changes apparently result from chronic bacterial sinusitis superimposed on the granulomatous vasculitic process. Computed tomography dramatically demonstrated the bone changes, consisting of a combination of sinus wall thickening and trabeculated new bone formation within the sinuses.