Mucoceles of the paranasal sinuses with intracranial and intraorbital extension: report of 28 cases

Neurosurgery. 1993 Jun;32(6):901-6; discussion 906. doi: 10.1227/00006123-199306000-00003.

Abstract

Twenty-eight patients received surgical treatment for a paranasal sinus mucocele with intracranial and/or intraorbital extension. The lesions were classified by site and extension: anterior without intracranial extension (Type 1), 7 patients; anterior with intracranial extension (Type 2), 11 patients; posterior midline without intracranial extension (Type 3), 5 patients; and posterior with intracranial extension (Type 4), 5 patients. The surgical approaches were: transnaso-orbital, transfrontonaso-orbital, transsphenoidal, transmaxillosphenoidal, and subfrontal transbasal; the choice depended on the site and extension of the lesion, with the aim of securing maximum exposure to ensure total removal of the lesion with its capsule. A transcranial approach was reserved for mucoceles possessing an intracranial extension or causing distension of the bone structures with optic pathway neurological symptoms. With a coronal or transfacial skin incision along the lines of the forehead, nose, and orbital muscles of expression and careful reconstruction, the patients' natural cast of features was spared or restored in a single operation.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ethmoid Sinus / diagnostic imaging
  • Ethmoid Sinus / surgery*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Frontal Sinus / diagnostic imaging
  • Frontal Sinus / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucocele / diagnostic imaging
  • Mucocele / surgery*
  • Orbital Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Orbital Diseases / surgery*
  • Paranasal Sinus Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Paranasal Sinus Diseases / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed