Auto-erosion of the Uncinate Process in Cystic Fibrosis

Objective: Report a phenomenon of auto-erosion of the uncinate process and medial maxillary wall in children with cystic fibrosis. Method: Retrospective chart review with IRB approval. Setting: Tertiary care children’s medical center. Patients: Children evaluated from 1995 to 2010 with cystic fibrosis and chronic sinusitis who were noted to have auto-erosion of the uncinate process on endoscopic and radiographic evaluations. Results: Six out of 62 (10%) children evaluated from 1995 to 2010 with cystic fibrosis and sinusitis without previous sinus surgery at a tertiary children’s hospital were noted to have auto-erosion of the uncinate process and medial maxillary wall. Auto-erosion appears to occur from expansion, pressure, and demineralization of the bones of the uncinate process and medial maxillary wall. Conclusion: Auto-erosion of the uncinate process is seen in children with sinusitis and cystic fibrosis. Auto-erosion appears to be a non-surgical self-ventilating phenomenon associated with improvement of maxillary sinus disease on computed tomography.