• Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive inherited disease of the exocrine glands, primarily affecting the GI and respiratory systems, and usually characterized by COPD, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and abnormally high sweat electrolytes (particularly chloride > 60 mEq/L). In addition to thickened sputum and pancreatic enzyme dysfunction, males often have azospermia secondary to obstruction of the vas deferens by thickened secretions.
  • In cystic fibrosis, congenital absence of the frontal sinus is a noted feature of the disease. Patients with a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis are no more or less likely to sustain maxillofacial trauma than those of their age matched peers and are more susceptible to severe maxillofacial infections than that of the general population because of chemotherapeutic regimens and disorders of mucous regulation.