Outcomes in Surgical Treatment of Mucocele in Frontal Sinus

In house 3-D printed surgical guide for frontal sinus osteotomy in traumatology: A technical note

Frontal sinus surgery and particularly frontal sinus osteotomy represent historically a procedure demanding precision and careful planning. Achieving optimal results while minimizing complications requires meticulous preoperative planning and execution. Cutting guides are crucial tools in surgical procedures, particularly in complex osteotomies like could be those involving the frontal sinus. The aim of the study is to show the worflow for the in-house custom made cutting guide for secure and accurated frontal sinus approach. Given the simplicity, efficacy, rapidity, and safety of the procedure, the workflow for programming the cutting guide can be considered valid for all surgical procedures that contemplate performing an osteotomy on the anterior wall of the frontal sinus, such as trauma pathology, inflammatory naso-sinus pathology, benign or malignant neoplastic pathology, and craniofacial malformation pathology.

A minimally invasive, combined approach to the recurrent/recalcitrant sino-orbital mucocele

PURPOSE

To evaluate the results of a minimally invasive combined endoscopic and eyelid crease/medial suprabrow incision approach in collaboration with oculoplastic and sinus surgeons for the treatment of recurrent/recalcitrant sino-orbital mucoceles.

METHODS

Eighteen cases of recurrent/recalcitrant sino-orbital mucoceles, treated in collaboration with oculoplastic and sinus surgeons at the University of Michigan, were retrospectively reviewed. The recurrence of mucocele, reduction in proptosis, and complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean age at the time of surgery was 49 years (range: 17-76 years). All cases had a history of previous sinus or orbital surgeries for mucoceles. Among 18 cases, eight were due to chronic sinus infections, six due to trauma, three due to Schneiderian papilloma, and one case was secondary to an inflammatory sinus disease. Thirteen cases (72%) presented with orbital or facial cellulitis, while five cases (38%) experienced periocular swelling and limited extraocular motility. Following a mean follow-up of 19 months (range: 1-76 months)), recurrence was observed in two cases (11%): one in a cystic fibrosis patient with chronic sinusitis, and the other in a case of Schneiderian papilloma. The mean pre-operative proptosis in the affected eye was 2.78 mm, with an average decrease of 2.33 mm after surgery. Complications occurred in two cases, including one case of hypoesthesia in the forehead and one case of post-operative strabismus.

CONCLUSION

Our series of 18 cases of recurrent/recalcitrant mucoceles, with only two cases of recurrence, demonstrates that this minimally invasive approach can be successfully employed for advanced sino-orbital disease, with a low rate of adverse outcomes and aesthetically pleasing results.

The Clinical Course of Paranasal Sinus Mucocoeles-A Retrospective Case Series

Paranasal sinus mucocoeles can be secondary to chronic rhinosinusitis and can result in intra-orbital and intra-cranial complications requiring surgical management. The natural history of conservatively managed mucocoeles is not well established. We aimed to quantify the proportion of radiologically identified paranasal sinus mucocoeles resulting in complications over 10 years. We retrospectively reviewed anonymised data on radiologically diagnosed mucocoeles between 2011 and 2021 at two UK hospitals. We collected data on age at presentation, extent of sinus involvement, management and complications. We identified 60 patients with mucocoeles, of which 35 (58%) were incidental findings from radiological investigations. The mean age was 58 years. Fifteen patients (25%) were managed surgically and one presented with recurrence following surgery. Overall, six patients (10%) had an intra-orbital extension of their mucocoele and three (5%) had an intra-cranial extension. There was no difference in the rates of intra-cranial extension between conservative and surgical cases but surgical cases included a higher rate of intra-orbital extensions (27% vs. 4%, p = 0.01). The proportion of patients requiring surgical intervention in this study is low. Incidental and asymptomatic mucocoeles have a relatively benign disease course and selected uncomplicated cases can be considered for conservative management with serial scanning at 12 months.

Maxillary Sinus Mucocele With Fungal Ball

Mucocele is a benign, expansile, and oppressive lesion, more common in the frontal and ethmoid sinus and less in the maxillary sinus. Sinus mucocele mainly causes cheek swelling pain and nasal obstruction. In some cases, the paranasal mucocele grows large enough to compress periorbital structures and lead to impaired vision. Generally, mucocele is full of simple mucus, but pathogens can be found if co-infected, which means a poor prognosis. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is an effective treatment for this disease. Here, the authors report a case that a mucocele occurred in the maxillary sinus, and a fungal ball was also found during the operation, which is a result of Paecilomyces farinosus co-infection.

Orbital Reconstruction Using a Polyetheretherketone Patient-Specific Implant After Removal of a Mucocele Developing After Orbital Fracture Repair

A few mucoceles developing secondary to facial bone fractures have been reported. Mucocele formation is thought to be attributable to displacement of the respiratory mucosa with obstruction of the sinus opening, especially if untreated. Accurate diagnosis and management are required; a growing mucocele will gradually destroy adjacent bony structures and cause irreversible complications. The authors describe a patient who presented with diplopia and mild discomfort when gazing upward. She had undergone reconstruction of medial and inferior orbital fractures 20 years previously. The patient was diagnosed with a mucocele developing after orbital fracture repair. The patient underwent mucocele removal and orbital reconstruction using a polyetheretherketone patient-specific implant. In a patient with orbital symptoms but without acute trauma, a mucocele should be among the differential diagnoses if history-taking reveals past orbital trauma and surgery. A polyetheretherketone patient-specific implant was effective for orbital reconstruction after mucocele removal.

Nasal Sinus Mucoceles Manifesting Ocular Symptoms

INTRODUCTION

To describe the ocular symptoms in a series of patients with nasal sinus mucoceles of different locations.

METHODS

The authors analyzed the diagnosis and treatment of patients with sinus mucoceles and ocular symptoms who presented to the hospital from February 2010 to April 2020. A total of 61 patients were included in the study. The locations of the mucoceles were the frontal sinus (8 patients), ethmoid sinus (25 patients), and sphenoid sinus (28 patients). The authors selected 1 typical mucocele case from each of the sinuses, including the frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid sinuses, and analyzed the history, diagnosis, and treatment of mucoceles in each location.

RESULTS

The main clinical manifestations were ophthalmic symptoms, such as exophthalmos or displacement, eye pain, blindness or decreased vision, blepharoptosis, and diplopia; no obvious nasal symptoms were noted. Most patients with these symptoms went to an ophthalmologist first. All lesions in this study were found through imaging examinations. Most symptoms improved after surgical interventions. Only 2 of the 61 patients had no improvement in vision because of the long period of vision loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Although sinus mucoceles are located in the sinuses, ocular symptoms are more prevalent than nasal symptoms. The earlier the imaging examinations are performed; the sooner lesions are detected, and the patients can be treated.

Defining the limits and indications of the Draf III endoscopic approach to the lateral frontal sinus and maximizing visualization and maneuverability: a cadaveric and radiological study

PURPOSE

The DRAF III procedure has been used for access to the lateralmost part of the frontal sinus. We sought to identify anatomical and radiological measurements as well as modifications that predict the lateral limits of visualization and surgical access after this procedure.

METHODS

Seven cadaver heads were imaged with computed tomography scan. The distance from midline to the medial orbital wall (MOWD), midline to the lateral end of the frontal sinus (MLD), the sum of MLDs (SMLD), interorbital distance (IOD) and the shortest anteroposterior distance of the frontal recess (APD) were utilized. The ratios MLD/MOWD, and SMLD/IOD were calculated. The same distances were measured on 41 CT scans. Orbital transposition (OT) and partial resection of the piriform aperture (PAR) were performed; the visualization and reach were assessed. The angle of insertion was measured before and after the modifications.

RESULTS

Only the ratio MLD/MOWD was consistently predictive of access to the lateral, superior and posterior wall of the frontal sinus. Following the modifications, a visualization of 100% laterally was achieved with the 30- and 45 degree endoscopes and every lateral recess could be reached with the 70 degree suction. A mean increase of the angle of insertion of 25.3 and 59.6% was recorded after OT and PAR, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

IOD rather than APD defines the limits of the Draf III approach to the lateral frontal sinus and MLD/MOWD ratio can serve as a useful preoperative tool. Along to the already described OT, PAR increases visualization and reach of the lateral frontal sinus.

When is a multidisciplinary approach required in management of intracranial complications of sinonasal inflammatory disorders?

Intracranial complications of sinonasal inflammatory disorders are relatively unusual but can cause significant morbidity and mortality. They often occur in patients with comorbid disorders and immunocompromised but also people without risk factors can be affected. Intracranial complications of acute rhinosinusitis are rare, probably due to oral antibiotics availability, but are less predictable as they often occur in immunocompetent patients without comorbidity. Their management requires a multidisciplinary approach to plan and customize the therapeutic treatment. Intracranial complications of chronic rhinosinusitis are more predictable as they occur often in immunocompromised patient with particularly risk factors. For this reason, a multidisciplinary approach it’s important for treatment and mostly for prevention. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of different multidisciplinary management of intracranial complications of sinonasal inflammatory disorders according to their etiology and severity.

Association between the insertion type of the uncinate process and the development of Frontal Sinus Mucoceles - is there a relationship?

BACKGROUND

The frontal sinus drainage pathway is formed by either the ethmoid infundibulum or the middle meatus, which depends on the superior insertion of the uncinate process. According to Landsberg & Friedman the are 6 types of superior uncinate process insertion. The aim of this study is to find an association between the uncinate process insertion type and the development of frontal sinus mucoceles.

METHODS

Fifty sinus CT scans were analysed. Exclusion criteria were previous nasal surgeries, malignancy, polyposis and an insufficient image quality. Superior insertions of the uncinate process were analysed according to the Landsberg & Friedman classification. The results were tabulated and analysed using SPSS 25.0.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed type 1 insertion in 6% of the CT scans, type 2 in 32%, type 3 in 26%, type 4 in 0%, type 5 in 28% and type 6 in 8%. Despite 44% of the CT scans with frontal sinus mucocele showing a type 2 insertion of the uncinate process, both the Chi-Square test and the Cramer's V test showed no statistical significance (p>.05). Logistic regression also showed that uncinate process insertion type does not influence the likelihood of development of frontal sinuses mucoceles.

CONCLUSIONS

The insertion of the uncinate process does not influence the development of frontal sinus mucoceles.

Intracerebral hemorrhage after endoscopic marsupialization of huge frontal sinus mucocele

Frontal Mucocele grows gradually and unnoticed as a benign lesion but, as the frontal mucocele expands to and compresses surrounding organs like brain, orbit, etc., it can cause diverse symptoms and signs. Although the surgical approaches of mucocele include open, endoscopic and combined approach, endoscopic marsupialization has been commonly used because endoscopic marsupialization was reported with high success rates, low complication rates and better operative vision. However, recently we experienced rare complication of endoscopic marsupialization of huge frontal mucocele, large amount of intracerebral hemorrhage, immediately after successful surgery and report this rare case with short review.

Spontaneous Unilateral Intrasphenoidal Meningocele

The sphenoid sinus is an uncommon location for protrusion of a meningocele. When this does occur, it nearly always presents with leakage of cerebrospinal fluid through the nasal cavity. We present a case of a 38-year-old female found to have a meningocele protruding into the left sphenoid sinus, who presented with intractable headache but no CSF rhinorrhea. The lesion was discovered on computed tomography angiography, which was performed in order to rule out intracranial pathology as the etiology of her headache. Prior imaging, including pre- and post-contrast MRI, demonstrated the fluid within the sphenoid sinus, but did not reveal the communication through a defect in the base of the skull. Thus, it was assumed to be strictly related to sinus disease in the past. Our case represents a phenomenon whereby meningoceles protruding through the basilar skull into the sphenoid sinus or any other location are potentially misdiagnosed due to poor visualization of the osseous defect and lack of awareness of this entity.

Evolving Treatment of Frontal Sinus Cholesteatoma: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Cholesteatomas are lined by squamous epithelium, contain keratin debris, and can cause bony erosion. Although commonly found in the middle ear space and mastoid, cholesteatomas may develop in adjacent structures including the paranasal sinuses. Frontal sinus cholesteatoma (FSC) is a rare condition with fewer than 30 reported cases. The aims of this study are to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, and endoscopic treatment of FSC and to review the literature focusing on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and historical and contemporary treatments of FSC.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 45-year-old man presented with a 1-week history of right eyelid and forehead swelling. Results of computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance images revealed a right frontal sinus lesion of soft-tissue density with bony dehiscence along the superior orbit and posterior table. He underwent right-sided endoscopic sinus surgery at a tertiary care center in January 2017. Intraoperatively, the frontal sinus contained keratin debris suggestive of FSC. This suspicion was confirmed postoperatively by pathologic analysis after subtotal resection.

DISCUSSION

The pathogenesis of frontal sinus cholesteatoma varies based on its cause (congenital vs acquired). Clinical diagnosis remains challenging but is aided by nasal endoscopy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Historically, FSC has been managed by total extirpation through open approaches, which can entail substantial morbidity. With sophisticated endoscopic sinus instrumentation and image guidance, FSC can be successfully treated via an endoscopic approach. Serial débridements and washouts in an outpatient setting may adequately manage the residual disease in the postoperative period.

Implication of frontal sinus mucocele's location and intrasinus septation

Mucocele of paranasal sinuses commonly affects frontal or frontoethmoidal air cells. With the evolution of endoscopic sinus surgery, the endoscopic marsupialisation has become the standard of care for these lesions. However, the external approach still has a role in selected cases of frontal sinus mucocele. The location of the mucocele and its communication with the natural outflow tract of the frontal sinus are some of the critical factors to be considered while choosing the surgical approach. We have discussed the management of three cases of frontal mucoceles having different locations and one of them having intervening septa. We emphasise that the successful management of far laterally located mucoceles and those with laterally situated septation require an external approach in conjunction with endoscopic marsupialisation.