Cholesteatoma of the nose and maxillary and ethmoid sinuses: a rare complication of palatal surgery

Nasal sinuses cholesteatoma: case series and review of the English literature

BACKGROUND

Nasal sinus cholesteatomas are uncommon slow-growing lesions that are frequently misdiagnosed preoperatively. They can develop due to embryologic remnants or iatrogenic factors (surgical trauma or nasal sinus trauma). In addition, they can cause bone destruction resulting in intracranial or intraorbital complications as well as malignant change if neglected. Complete surgical removal is a must with strict postoperative follow-up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three cases of nasal sinus cholesteatoma are reported. The first case was found inside the ethmoidal sinus, the second in the frontal sinus, and the third was found inside a concha bullosa. In all three cases, a wide endoscopic surgical excision was performed. Due to the lateral extension of the lesion, frontal sinus trephine was also used in the case of frontal sinus nasal cholesteatoma. In addition, a review of the English literature for the reported cases of nasal sinus cholesteatomas was conducted.

RESULTS

There were no reported recurrence or residual during strict postoperative follow-up for 2 years (by endoscopic examination and diffusion-weighted MRI with delayed postcontrast T1 images). A review of the English literature revealed 42 cases of nasal sinuses cholesteatomas (including the present three cases) (17 in the frontal sinus, 15 in the maxillary sinus, 5 in the ethmoid sinus, 3 in the sphenoid sinus, and 2 in a concha bullosa).

CONCLUSIONS

Although nasal sinus cholesteatomas are uncommon, they must be considered in the differential diagnosis of slow-growing nasal sinuses lesions. Preoperative CT scan and diffusion-weighted MRI are essential for proper diagnosis and to exclude other similar lesions, such as nasal sinus mucoceles, cholesterol granuloma, or neoplastic lesions. Wide complete surgical excision is necessary to avoid recurrence and facilitate postoperative follow-up. As with ear cholesteatoma, strict postoperative follow-up is required to detect recurrence or residual early and is performed by endoscopic examination, diffusion-weighted MRI, and delayed post-gadolinium T1 images.

Cholesteatoma of Maxillary Sinus: What Is the Best Surgical Approach?

Cholesteatoma is a relatively common disease entity within the middle ear or mastoid cavity but cholesteatoma of the paranasal sinuses is a rare diseases entity, especially in the maxillary sinus. As the authors recently experienced a patient of maxillary sinus cholesteatoma, the authors tried to review all the literatures previously reported on the "Cholesteatoma of the maxillary sinus." The aim of this study was to describe authors' recent experience and review previously reported patients of cholesteatoma of the maxillary sinus. Additionally, it is to describe the clinical features focusing on the computed tomography findings and to elucidate which approach may be best for complete excision. The authors thoroughly reviewed 10 patient reports written in English regarding the cholesteatoma of maxillary sinus which have been published since the 1980s. Based on authors' review, the authors suggest some conclusions. First, the diagnosis of cholesteatoma, although rare, should be considered for any slowly expansile lesion of the maxillary sinus. Second, there was no specific computed tomography finding that was helpful for the diagnosis of maxillary sinus cholesteatoma. Last, the surgical approach to cholesteatoma of the maxillary sinus should be chosen to allow visibility and complete removal according to the size, location, and extent of diseases.

A unique case of pneumatised styloid process with cholesteatoma

Pneumatisation of styloid process is a very rare finding and has never been reported previously. We present a unique case of a pneumatised styloid process with a cholesteatoma arising within the cavity. We describe the clinical features, associated radiological findings, and management of this lesion.