Paranasal sinus mucoceles with skull-base and/or orbital erosion: is the endoscopic approach sufficient?

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Oct;139(4):570-4. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2008.07.004.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to review the management of paranasal sinus mucoceles with skull-base and/or orbital erosion in the endoscopic era.

Study design: A retrospective data analysis.

Methods: A chart review was performed on 57 patients treated from January 2001 to March 2007.

Results: The average age at the time of presentation was 50.6 years with a 1:1 male: female ratio. The most common site was the frontal sinus (54.4%), followed by frontoethmoid (29.8%) and sphenoid (8.8%). Areas of erosion included skull base (40.4%), orbit (50.9%), and both orbit and skull base (8.8%). Endoscopic drainage using image guidance was used in all 57 patients without complications. Fifty-six cases (98.2%) had a functionally patent mucocele opening with a median follow-up of 15 months.

Conclusions: The endoscopic approach can be safely used for the management of mucoceles with skull-base and/or orbital erosion. Open adjunct approaches can be avoided in most cases.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Endoscopy
  • Female
  • Frontal Sinus
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucocele / pathology
  • Mucocele / surgery*
  • Orbit / pathology
  • Paranasal Sinus Diseases / pathology
  • Paranasal Sinus Diseases / surgery*
  • Reoperation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skull Base / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Visual Acuity