February 25, 2013 Tanya Rogo, MD, FIDSA; Richard H. Schwartz, MD, FAAP
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Abstract
We describe the case of a 5-year-old girl with a Pott puffy tumor on her forehead. Computed tomography confirmed frontal sinusitis and an epidural abscess. This case is unusual in that the patient's age at presentation was younger than the age when the frontal sinuses are believed to develop.
October 31, 2012 Pradipta Kumar Parida, MS, DNB, MNAMS
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Abstract
The paranasal sinuses are a rare location for metastases. The most frequent infraclavicular primary tumor to metastasize to the nose and paranasal sinuses is renal cell carcinoma. Three cases of bilateral renal cell carcinoma with metastases to the paranasal sinuses and with destruction of the skull base are reported. These patients had a primary renal cell carcinoma on the left side for which they had undergone a left nephrectomy many years previously. Right-sided renal cell carcinoma was diagnosed only after the patients had developed symptoms secondary to their metastases. These patients presented with the unusual manifestations of frontal swelling, proptosis, and epistaxis. They were offered palliative treatment in the form of radiotherapy and interferon therapy.
July 5, 2012 Lester D.R. Thompson, MD
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Radiographic findings are essential to the diagnosis of paranasal sinus mucocele. Usually opacification of the sinus with thinning, erosion, or destruction of the sinus wall are seen.
June 4, 2012 Jyoti R. Kini, MD; Spoorthy S. Shetty, MBBS; Hema Kini, MD
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Abstract
Fungal infections of the nose and paranasal sinuses are uncommon, and the disease they cause can be identified from their histopathologic appearance. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of fungal infection and histopathologic changes in specimens sent for evaluation of chronic sinusitis and correlate with culture findings wherever possible. The records of 200 consecutive cases coded as paranasal sinuses over a period of 3 years were retrieved from the Department of Pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India. Twenty nine out of a total of 200 specimens (14.5%) were positive for fungal elements on histopathologic examination. The most common etiologic agents in our study were Aspergillus spp (37.9%); only 1 culture (3.4%) was positive for a Candida species. Eight of 29 patients with fungal sinusitis (27.6%) had diabetes, and 1 patient was being treated for rheumatoid arthritis. Eight of the 29 patients had allergic fungal sinusitis, 8 had chronic granulomatous sinusitis, and 1 had acute fulminant invasive sinusitis. Fungi have been increasingly recognized as an important pathogen in chronic sinusitis. It is imperative for patient management not only that paranasal sinus mycoses be diagnosed but also that the specific histologic category be identified.
April 30, 2012 Mohamed Amin, MD, FRCSI; Rohana Ali, AFRCS; Susan Kennedy, MD; Conrad Timon, MD, FRCSI
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Abstract
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the nose and paranasal sinuses is a rare entity that exhibits a diverse histologic pattern that can mimic malignant tumors clinically and radiologically. We present a case of IMT in an 88-year-old man who presented with an aggressive tumor-like lesion in the nose and paranasal sinuses that had a malignant appearance on radiology. We discuss this tumor's clinicoradiologic resemblance to a malignancy, and we review the treatment options following careful histologic and immunohistochemical analysis.
March 1, 2012 Ozum Tuncyurek, MD, Murat Songu, MD, Zehra Hilal Adibelli, MD, and Kazim Onal, MD
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Abstract
A frontal infundibular cell (FIC) is an uncommon anatomic variant of an anterior ethmoid pneumatization that originates from the frontal recess and typically extends into the lumen of the frontal sinus ostium. FICs may show several anatomic variants that impact the anatomy of the frontal recess. Familiarity with these variants is required for safe endoscopic sinus surgical procedures. We conducted a retrospective chart review, examining 1,040 frontal recesses in 520 adults with no frontal sinus disease, to explore the anatomy of the healthy frontal recess and to describe the prevalence of FICs in patients without a history of conditions that cause frontal pneumatization. Review of axial and coronal computed tomography data, which were reformatted for sagittal reconstruction, was performed at a computer workstation. Bent and Kuhn's classification was used to define types of FICs. We identified 167 patients (32.1%) as having unilateral or bilateral FICs. Type I infundibular cells were the most common type (found in 15.7% of the entire study population). Type II and type III FICs were found in 3.8% and 12.1%, respectively; type IV FICs were present in 0.4%. The FIC has not been emphasized as an important potential cause of frontal sinus obstruction in the radiology literature, but clinicians should specifically watch for it on all routine computed tomography of the frontal sinus. Fine-cut computed tomography scans aid in the identification of each individual cell and allow the surgeon to formulate a clear and precise surgical plan. A surgical plan with a thorough understanding of the anatomy enables confident dissection of this complex and difficult area.
February 18, 2012 Dewey A. Christmas, MD, Joseph P. Mirante, MD, FACS, and Eiji Yanagisawa, MD, FACS
February 18, 2012 Raewyn G. Campbell, BMed(Hons), BApplSci(Physio)
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Abstract
Previously reported cases of iatrogenic sphenopalatine artery (SPA) pseudoaneurysm have occurred only after trans-sphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors or maxillofacial surgery. In this article, the author presents what to the best of her knowledge is the first reported case of an SPA pseudoaneurysm that developed following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The patient was a 76-year-old woman with myelodysplastic syndrome who presented with a 6-month history of unilateral sinus symptoms. She underwent septoplasty and unilateral ESS, which included frontal recess clearance and sphenoidotomy. However, during surgery, severe generalized bleeding was encountered. The bleeding was arrested only after anterior and posterior nasal packing. After two attempts to remove the packing failed, angiography was obtained. It revealed an SPA pseudoaneurysm, which was immediately and successfully embolized. SPA pseudoaneurysm is a rare but significant complication of ESS, and it should be considered in patients with posterior epistaxis after ESS or prolonged posterior nasal packing. The pathogenesis may include intraoperative trauma, infection, pressure necrosis from packing, or a combination of these factors. Optimal management includes either ligation or embolization, depending on anatomic, patient, staff, and resource factors. The author reviews the pertinent anatomy and the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention of this rare complication.
December 15, 2011 Ken Yanagisawa, MD, FACS, Dewey A. Christmas, MD, Joseph P. Mirante, MD, FACS, and Eiji Yanagisawa, MD, FACS
October 26, 2011 J. Madana, MS, DNB, Deeke Yolmo, MS, S. Gopalakrishnan, MS, and Sunil Kumar Saxena, MS
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Abstract
Paranasal sinus carcinoma is rare, with an estimated annual incidence of less than 1 per 100,000 population. Primary frontal sinus involvement is extremely rare, accounting for only 0.3% of all paranasal sinus malignancies. A frontal sinus cancer may be mistaken for a mucocele, pyocele, or osteomyelitis. We report the case of a 48-year-old woman with a carcinoma that originated in the frontal sinus. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated bony destruction with intracranial extension but no involvement of the bulbus. The patient underwent a frontal craniotomy, tumor excision, and postoperative radiotherapy. One year later, she remained symptom-free.
October 26, 2011 Raman Wadhera, MS, S.P. Gulati, MS, Ajay Garg, MS, Anju Ghai, MD, and Sanjay Kumar, MD
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Abstract
When tumor involvement of the frontal sinus occurs, it is usually the result of the direct spread of the mass from the nasal cavity or anterior ethmoid sinuses. Primary frontal sinus tumors are extremely rare. We describe a case of primary adenocarcinoma of the frontal sinus in a 53-year-old man. The patient refused surgery, so he was treated with chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. At the 1-year follow-up, only a slight reduction of the swelling was noted. Thereafter, he was lost to follow-up. This case represents a typical example of a paranasal cancer extending beyond the bony margins, with a silent onset that simulated benign disease. The best hope for an early diagnosis of such a tumor lies in the greater use of computed tomography to assess chronic rhinosinusitis.
August 15, 2011 Ken Yanagisawa, MD, FACS, Dewey A. Christmas, MD, Joseph P. Mirante, MD, FACS, and Eiji Yanagisawa, MD, FACS
