Development of paranasal and mastoid sinuses: a computed tomographic pilot study

Paranasal sinus and mastoid disease in children is an important potential source of intracranial sepsis. Cranial computed tomographic (CT) scans are a primary imaging modality for assessment of the paranasal sinuses and mastoids. Radiographic assessment of paranasal sinus development has largely been confined to plain radiographs and polytomographic examination. We report a pilot, quantitative analysis of 30 CT scans obtained from patients without known ear, nose, or throat disease, and aged from 3 weeks to 13.8 years. Ethmoid, sphenoid, and mastoid sinus development was assessed by a "pneumatization index" (PI) derived from each CT scan. At all ages, the rank order of sinus development was ethmoid greater than mastoid greater than sphenoid. Individual developmental rates showed considerable variation. In the newborn, mastoid and sphenoid sinus development was minimal, whereas ethmoid sinuses showed substantial aeration. The data suggest that, for children older than 5 years of age, an ethmoid sinus PI less than or equal to 0.714 is highly suspicious of paranasal sinus disease.     

Value of visually evoked potentials in lesions of the optic nerve caused by a mucocele

Mucoceles originating in accessory paranasal sinuses with orbit involvement are quite rare. The authors describe two cases of mucoceles, revealed by CT-Scan, the first in the ethmoid-sphenoidal-maxillary sinuses and the other in the ethmoid-frontal sinuses respectively. In both cases Visual Evoked Potentials were most important for assessing optic nerve involvement. They were also useful to check post surgical recovery. These case reports emphasize that early diagnosis of mucoceles involving the optic nerve is very important because prompt surgical treatment may lead to recovery of visual disturbances.     

Complete recovery of visual loss following surgical treatment of mucopyocele of the anterior clinoid process

A mucocele is a collection of mucus, which is lined by the mucus-secreting epithelium of a paranasal sinus. Paranasal sinus mucoceles occur as a result of inflammation, tumor, trauma or surgical manipulation. The anterior clinoid process may be pneumatized by an extension of the sphenoid paranasal sinus air space during normal development. Mucocele of the anterior clinoid process is rare. We report a patient with mucopyocele of the anterior clinoid process that resulted in rapid monocular visual loss. The left optic canal was exposed extradurally via a supraorbital craniotomy and the mucopyocele was totally excised. The optic canal was decompressed by drilling the superior, lateral and medial rims, to achieve circumferential decompression of the optic nerve. The patient’s vision improved postoperatively.     

单鼻孔经蝶入路垂体腺瘤切除术中蝶窦前壁的解剖学研究

目的通过对成人湿性头颅标本的解剖和数据测量,量化蝶窦前壁,为单鼻孔经蝶入路到鞍区的显微解剖提供准确定位数据。方法对20例(40侧)不同性别的成人头颅湿性标本进行血管灌注染色后,模拟单鼻孔经蝶入路垂体腺瘤切除手术,对蝶窦前壁进行解剖及数据测量。结果前鼻嵴至蝶窦开口上端中点(57.8±4.9)mm;蝶窦口上端中点距中线(3.4±1.0)mm。结论蝶窦口是经鼻蝶入路手术的重要解剖标志,以鼻腔底为基线矢状夹角为31.5°,沿鼻中隔进入约57.8 mm,再偏离鼻中隔约3.4 mm,即为蝶窦开口的上端中点。     

Mucocele of the sphenoid sinus

Sphenoid sinus mucoceles are pseudocystic expansile slow-growing processes that arise within the sphenoid sinus. A dynamic process of bone resorption and erosion results in a pseudo-tumoral development. Clinical features and potential risks are related to mass effect with compression of the optic nerves and intracranial extension of the process. CT and MRI allow diagnosis and distinguish mucoceles from skull base tumors or inflammatory diseases. Endonasal endoscopic approach is adapted to the treatment of sphenoid mucoceles and allows marsupialization of the mucoceles.     

内镜经鼻手术治疗侵犯颅内的巨大鼻窦黏液囊肿

目的 探讨内镜经鼻手术治疗侵犯颅内的鼻窦黏液囊肿的外科技术。方法 对6例侵犯颅内的鼻窦黏液囊肿行内镜经鼻囊肿“造袋术”，切除囊肿壁，保留与硬脑膜、视神经黏连紧密的部分囊肿壁，保证囊肿腔与鼻腔引流通畅。结果 囊肿壁大部切除4例，部分切除2例。术前2例失明者术后视力无改善，4例视力下降者均有不同程度恢复。3例眼球突出者术后眼球回缩．眼突出度恢复正常。1例眼球运动障碍者眼球运动部分恢复。术后无颅内出血、感染。平均随访16个月，囊肿均无复发．鼻窦腔引流通畅。结论 对侵犯颅内的鼻窦黏液囊肿应早期诊断，早期治疗，以避免病人失明。内镜经鼻手术安全、有效．术中应注意避免损伤视神经及颈内动脉。     

Primary diffuse leptomeningeal gliosarcomatosis with a sphenoid/sellar mass: Confirmation of the ectopic glial tissue theory?

Gliosarcoma is a rare glioblastoma variant, classically arising in the cerebral hemispheres. We report a patient with primary diffuse leptomeningeal gliomatosis (PDLG) with a sphenoid sinus and sellar mass. An 84-year-old woman presented with progressive headache and right-sided visual failure, associated with ipsilateral oculomotor nerve palsy and left temporal field loss. Neuraxial MRI showed a large lesion within the sphenoid sinus and sella resulting in chiasmal compression, and diffuse cranial and spinal leptomeningeal enhancement. Endoscopic transphenoidal biopsy and debulking of the sphenosellar lesion was performed, and gliosarcoma was diagnosed on histopathological examination. The patient was palliated due to poor performance status. To our knowledge, this is the only report of gliosarcoma within the paranasal sinuses and the second report of PDLG where the histological analysis has confirmed gliosarcoma. We believe this adds significant weight to the theory that heterotopic nests of glial tissue, in this instance within the sphenoid or sella, are the putative origin of PDLG.     

Endoscopic sphenoid sinus drainage in Lemierre syndrome

Lemierre syndrome is a rare condition arising from an invasive oropharyngeal infection, which leads to septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein and multi-organ septic embolization. Intracranial complications are rare but serious, including subdural empyema, cavernous sinus thrombosis, and internal carotid artery aneurysms. We report a patient with Lemierre syndrome with multiple intracranial complications despite aggressive antimicrobial therapy. The patient eventually required transsphenoidal endoscopic drainage of the sphenoid sinus to help eradicate the infectious source. We postulate that in patients with Lemierre syndrome with evidence of infection in the paranasal sinuses, endoscopic sinus drainage can be an adjunct to antimicrobial therapy in achieving infection control.     

Mucocoele and mucopyocoele of the frontal sinus penetrating to the cranial cavity and the orbit

Background and purpose : Mucocoele of the paranasal sinuses falls within the scope of interest for neurosurgery when erosion of the sinus wall and the osseous structures of the skull base develops and the lesion extends towards the cranial cavity, the orbit, the cavernous sinus or the sella turcica. The pa-per aims to present the method of treatment of extensive mucocoele which is used in our clinic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We treated 7 patients (2 women and 5 men; age range: 27-68 years). Mucopyocoele was diagnosed in two cases, and mucocoele in the other five. In 5 cases, extension of the mucocoele to the cranial cavity and the orbit or to the ethmoid sinus and the orbit was observed. In the remaining 2 cases, mucopyocoele extended to the ethmoid sinus, the sphenoid and maxillary sinuses, cranial cavity and the orbit. The purpose of surgery was to remove the mucocoele or the mucopyocoele and to prevent recurrence. Results : The postoperative course in all 7 patients was uneventful. All symptoms gradually receded. No relapse was observed in any patient during a follow-up period that varied from 10 months to 8 years; nor did incidents of inflammation of collateral sinuses occur. CONCLUSIONS : The treatment of mucocoele or mucopyocoele of the frontal sinus penetrating to the cranial cavity and the orbit consists of the following stages: cranialization of the frontal sinus, complete resection of the mucosa, tight closing of the frontal-nasal duct, and separating the air space of the opened collateral nasal sinuses from the cranial cavity with a large pedicled periosteal flap.     

Pituitary adenoma penetrating the sphenoidal sinus and nasal cavity: a case report]

We describe a case of pituitary adenoma penetrating to the sphenoidal sinus and nasal cavity in a patient with recurrent nasal polyps. Histopathological examination of the removed polyps revealed transitional carcinoma. CT and MRI of the head showed a solid tumour filling the spheniodal sinus and the sella, penetrating to posterior ethmoid cells and superior nasal duct. In hormonal investigations increased concentration of prolactin (PRL) was found. Histopathological examination performed after neurosurgical operation revealed pituitary adenoma, and the diagnosis of pituitary adenoma was established. About 30% of tumour cells gave positive reaction with anti-PRL antibody in the immunocytochemical investigation. The immunocytochemical investigation of the nasal polips was also done--similarly about 30% of cells showed strong positive reaction with anti-PRL antibody. The investigations indicate the presence of pituitary macroadenoma (prolactinoma), manifesting initially as nose tumour. Considering cases of ectopic pituitary adenomas covered with transitional epithelium (for example some nasal tumours and paranasal sinuses tumours) immunocytochemical investigations are recommended in such cases.     

内镜下经单鼻孔蝶窦人路鞍区手术的解剖研究

目的 研究内镜下经单鼻孔蝶窦入路中各解剖标志的辨认,探讨如何确认和根据不同的鞍区肿瘤生长方式扩大显露蝶窦前壁.方法 对甲醛固定的成人尸头标本(10例)和新鲜成人尸头标本(5例)经颈内动脉灌注红色乳胶、颈内静脉灌注蓝色玻璃胶后,经单侧鼻孔人路导入内镜,再剖开一侧鼻腔进行解剖观察和测量.结果 腭咽弓到蝶窦开口下缘距离为(15.13±1.99)mm.中鼻甲后部下缘到鞍底中心距离为(10.20±0.15)mm,去除蝶窦内分隔后蝶窦容量为(8.73±2.90)mL,鞍底厚度为(3.68±1.96)mm;鼻中隔和蝶窦前壁之间在不同平面的夹角差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 对难以找到蝶窦开口者,可根据蝶窦前壁特有的橄榄状隆起、蝶窦前壁和中鼻甲位置关系及蝶窦开口和腭咽弓距离确定蝶窦前壁;犁骨居中可为鞍底中线的定位标志;扩大入路适用于往鞍区各个不同方向生长的肿瘤手术.     

神经内镜下经鼻蝶手术入路的应用解剖研究

目的为神经内镜下经鼻蝶入路切除鞍区病变提供解剖学资料。方法对15例成人头部固定标本及5具新鲜尸头捌本进行了神经内镜下经鼻蝶入路的解剖观察。结果5例新鲜尸头标本中观察到蝶窦口8侧（80％），视神经管隆突5侧（50％），蚓内动脉隆突8侧（80％）；15例经防腐处理的尸头标本中发现蝶窦1321侧（70％），视神经管隆突12侧（40％），颈内动脉隆突则蚓22侧（73％）。打开蝶窦外侧壁能对部分鞍区及海绵窦区的解剖有较直观的认识。结论熟悉蝶鞍区结构的内镜下解剖关系有助刊手术中准确定位，避免损伤重要的神经、血管等结构，以提高手术成功率，减少并发症的发生。     

Acute optic neuritis: association with paranasal sinus inflammatory changes on magnetic resonance imaging.

The authors compared the frequency of paranasal sinus inflammatory changes (SIC) on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) obtained from 23 patients with new onset acute optic neuritis (ON) and 48 control patients who underwent outpatient MRI of the brain for reasons other than ON. The authors found a higher frequency of paranasal SIC in patients with ON (83%) than in controls (54%) (p = 0.02). The distribution of paranasal SIC (in ON and in controls) was maxillary (83% and 52%), ethmoid (4% and 2%), frontal (9% and 14%), and sphenoid (4% and 10%). Frequency of the maxillary SIC was significantly higher (p = 0.02) in patients with ON than in controls. Further evaluation of maxillary paranasal SIC with a grading system showed the presence of thickened mucosal lining of the sinuses (grade I) in 17% (ON) and 23% (controls), mucous retention cysts within the sinuses (grade II) in 48% (ON) and 25% (controls), and severe mucosal thickening with complete or near-complete filling of the sinus or an air-fluid level within the sinus (grade III) in 17% (ON) and 4% (controls). Combined frequency of grade II and grade III SIC was significantly higher in the ON group than in controls (p = 0.005), as was the frequency of grade III SIC alone (p = 0.02). Grade I SIC did not significantly differ between the groups. There was a trend (p = 0.09) toward a higher prevalence of bilateral sinus inflammatory changes in patients with bilateral ON. These findings suggest that ON may be associated with sinus inflammatory changes.     

Neuro-ophthalmological presentation of non-invasive Aspergillus sinus disease in the non-immunocompromised host.

Two cases of non-invasive aspergillosis of the nose and paranasal sinuses are described. The first presented with left proptosis and ophthalmoplegia. Imaging and histology showed a maxillary sinus aspergilloma. The second case presented as a compressive optic neuropathy and histology showed allergic aspergillus sinusitis. The pathological distinction between invasive and non-invasive forms of aspergillus sinusitis is important as in invasive aspergillosis surgical treatment is most effectively combined with systemic antifungal treatment, whereas in aspergilloma of the paranasal sinuses surgical drainage of the sinuses alone is usually sufficient, and in allergic aspergillus sinusitis surgery is best combined with systemic or topical steroids. The distinction between invasive and non-invasive forms is particularly important as both may present with cranial neuropathies.     

Invasive aspergillosis presenting with a painless complete ophthalmoplegia

Objective

We report on a patient who presented with complete ophthalmoplegia as a first symptom of fatal invasive aspergillosis.

Case report

We present the clinical course of an immunocompromised 68-year-old man with unclear painless loss of vision, ptosis and ophthalmoplegia of the right eye lasting for 10 days which was referred from an ophthalmological outpatient clinic. He had a history of kidney transplantation after renal failure, diabetes mellitus II, and coronary heart disease. He was on immunsuppressive therapy with tacrolimus, mycophenolate and prednisolone since renal transplantation. The initial cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was unremarkable. The additional thin section computed tomography (CT) of the paranasal sinuses was suspicious for bone erosion of the superior wall of the right sphenoidal sinus. Initial laboratory testing and cerebrospinal fluid were without pathological findings. When the patient showed signs of generalised sepsis he was transferred to the intensive care unit. Due to fulminant sepsis it was not possible to perform the planned biopsy. The patient died a few days later of cardio-respiratory insufficiency. The consecutive autopsy revealed invasive aspergillosis of paranasal sinuses with infiltration into the orbita and intracranial spreading into sinus cavernosus. Autopsy also showed aspergillus pneumonia.

Discussion

Invasive aspergillosis of the paranasal sinuses and the skull base is most often a lethal condition in immunocompromised patients. Therefore, rapid diagnostics applying radiological (CT and MRI) and surgical procedures (biopsy) and immediate ignition of antimycotic treatment can be life-saving.     

Radiological evidence of sinus infection in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The prevalence of radiological criteria of chronic sinus infection was compared in 42 cases of clinically definite or laboratory supported definite multiple sclerosis and 84 controls. No increase in relative risk of multiple sclerosis associated with the presence of chronic sinus infection was observed (odds ratio 1.2, 95% CI 0.5 to 3.1). The maxillary sinus was infected more often than the other paranasal sinuses but there was no difference in the distribution of infection within the sinuses between cases and controls. These results do not confirm an earlier report of an association between chronic sinus infection and multiple sclerosis.     

Septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinuses

Cavernous sinus thrombosis may occur as a complication of infectious and noninfectious processes. Septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinuses most commonly follows infections of the middle third of the face due to Staphylococcus aureus. Other antecedent sites of infection include paranasal (usually sphenoid) sinusitis, dental abscess and, less often, otitis media. Fever is a nearly constant finding, but headache may not be prominent. Periorbital edema, chemosis, proptosis, and limitation of extraocular movements (especially lateral gaze) develop in almost all recognized cases. Involvement of the opposite eye frequently appears within two days following the onset of unilateral signs. Although computed tomography may be helpful, magnetic resonance imaging is probably the diagnostic procedure of choice. Treatment includes appropriate antibiotics and, oftentimes, surgical drainage of the primary focus of infection. Less than half of the patients recover completely; the mortality rate is approximately 30%.     

经蝶入路颅底脊索瘤的显微手术治疗(附15例分析)

目的总结经蝶入路治疗颅底脊索瘤的手术经验。方法回顾性分析15例颅底脊索瘤病人的病例资料。肿瘤位于鞍区和中上斜坡13例,其中累及鞍内、鞍旁、蝶窦3例;呈侵袭性生长,累及中上斜坡和多组鼻窦2例。均采用经蝶窦入路手术。结果肿瘤全切除4例,次全切除8例,部分切除3例。术后临床症状得到不同程度改善11例,无明显缓解4例;无术后脑脊液漏、颅内感染等手术并发症发生,无死亡病例。部分切除病例中,术后12个月复发2例,术后2年复发伴远隔部位转移1例。结论对于局限于鞍区或中上斜坡及向鼻旁窦方向侵袭生长的颅底脊索瘤,经蝶窦入路可以很好地显露病变。该入路切除病变操作安全、省时,术后并发症少,病人恢复良好。     

内窥镜下经鼻腔蝶窦入路切除巨大垂体腺瘤

目的 报道内窥镜下经鼻腔蝶窦入路切除巨大垂体腺瘤11例，探讨该手术优缺点、适应症、禁忌症及并发症。方法 采用鼻内窥镜，经鼻腔直接开放蝶窦、鞍底，在直视下切除垂体腺瘤。结果 11例患肿瘤均肉眼下全切除，无手术死亡及严重并发症，术后患视力及视野均有明显好转。结论 鼻内窥镜下经鼻腔蝶窦径路切除垂体腺瘤是简便、安全和有效的，适用于蝶窦发育良好的垂体腺瘤切除，值得有条件的医院开展此入路手术。     

Mucocele of the sphenoid sinus: A rare cause of reversible 3rd nerve palsy

Ophthalmoplegia due to 3^rd nerve palsy is a common occurrence, and is usually a sign of diabetes mellitus or a serious intracranial disease. We report a rare case of pupil sparing 3^rd nerve palsy caused by mucocele of the sphenoid sinus. The patient regained 3^rd nerve functions after successful decompression of the mucocele. Early and correct diagnosis of this relatively benign condition is important to prevent permanent neurological deficits, including visual loss by optic nerve atrophy. Etiology, clinical manifestations and treatment of the sphenoid mucoceles is discussed and available literature is reviewed.