Gossypiboma in the oral region: Case report and literature review

Abstract

Gossypiboma is an inflammatory reaction to a foreign body, specifically composed of a cotton matrix left behind after surgery. The present study aims to present a case report of gossypiboma 23 years after a dental surgery and to make a literature review of the English language cases published on the issue. A 42-year-old woman was attended to evaluate complaints of pain on the right side of the maxilla. The patient reported that dental extractions in this region had been performed over a period of nearly 23 years. The panoramic radiograph demonstrated an opacity in the right maxillary sinus, which presented a spongiform aspect, irregularly shaped radiopaque image, as well as a rupture of the maxillary sinus's lower cortical layer. A surgical excision was performed, and the histopathological diagnosis was of gossypiboma. Six similar cases have also reported of gossypiboma in the oral region; however, calcification was only identified in the present case report. The patient is currently undergoing follow-up and has presented no complaints of pain or recurrence.