presence of melanocytes in the lining epithelium of maxillary sinus mucosa

ABSTRACT

Dendritic cells containing melanin pigment have been demonstrated with silver impregnation in the epithelial lining of the maxillary sinus in seven cases. An extensive review of literature has shown that melanocytes are found in some unusual locations, but previous finding of their existence in the epithelial lining of the maxillary sinus has not been reported. The literature is reviewed, and the pathologic significance of this observation in relation to the histogenesis of melanomas of the paranasal sinuses with special emphasis to the maxillary sinus is discussed