Decreasing incidence of malignant tumors of the paranasal sinuses in Sweden. An analysis of 141 consecutive cases at Karolinska Hospital from 1960 to 1980

We reviewed 141 cases of paranasal sinus tumors treated at Karolinska Hospital from 1960 to 1980. Of these tumors, 100 were located in the maxillary sinus, 32 in the ethmoidal sinuses, 8 in both the ethmoidal and maxillary regions, and 1 in the sphenoidal sinus. The male-to-female ratio was 2.1 to 1. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma were the most frequent types of tumors (55% and 13%, respectively). Treatment included surgery, irradiation, or both. The 5-year survival rate was 34% for squamous cell carcinomas and 64% for adenocarcinomas. When compared to a previous material of patients treated at the same hospital from 1940 to 1950, the proportion of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas had increased significantly. The age-adjusted incidence rate decreased from 1.2 to 0.4 for male patients and from 0.7 to 0.3 for female patients between 1960 and 1980. We conclude that the incidence of malignant paranasal sinus tumors has decreased, and that squamous cell tumors now seem to be generally less differentiated than they were 50 years ago.     

筛动脉眶内段及窦内段的应用解剖研究

目的：研究筛动脉的走行规律及局部位置关系,为筛窦手术和视神经管减压术提供参考。方法：采用显微解剖学技术对６０ 侧成人筛动脉眶内段和窦内段进行观察和测量。结果：筛前动脉眶内段长（５．１６±１．２４）ｍ ｍ ,管径为（０．５６±０．１７）ｍ ｍ ;筛后动脉眶内段长（９．０８±２．２９）ｍ ｍ ,管径为（０．３７±０．１４）ｍ ｍ 。筛动脉的周围有致密结缔组织构成的筋膜鞘,该鞘包绕与之并行的筛神经和筛静脉,筋膜鞘在筛动脉窦内段亦存在。筛动脉窦内行程有三种类型：走在骨管内;走在筛房顶壁和筛粘膜之间;部分走在骨管内。结论：在筛窦手术或视神经管减压术中,正确寻找和处理筛动脉有重要意义     

Ethmoidal scleroma: endoscopic diagnosis and treatment.

Twenty patients with medically treated rhinoscleroma and residual ethmoidal manifestations were examined using CT scanning. Cases with positive radiological data of the ethmoids underwent diagnostic and therapeutic nasal endoscopy. It has been found that ethmoidal scleroma is not as rare a condition as was previously thought. The diagnostic and therapeutic value of nasal endoscopy in ethmoidal scleroma is discussed.     

Intranasal microsurgical procedure in epistaxis of the cribriform plate and further interventions using hypotension

For the past 25 years we have been able to control severe epistaxis in all patients by an intranasal procedure. If the source of bleeding in patients with epistaxis from the upper part of the nose cannot be seen during the acute phase, a combined anterior-posterior nasal pack is inserted and left in place for three days. Should bleeding persist or recur after removal of the packing we resect the superior nasal septum to expose the bleeding point in the anterior area of the cribriform plate. Cauterization at this site is not safe because of the risk of CSF rhinorrhea, and it is not always successful, as the main blood supply to the ethmoidal arteries stems from the internal carotid artery. Cauterization of the anterior or posterior ethmoidal arteries within the bony canal of the ethmoidal sinus (after partial ethmoidectomy) is always successful. Ligation or embolization of the carotid arteries is indicated only for tumour patients. Intranasal ethmoidal microsurgery requires much practice and preliminary experience on at least 50 cadavers. In 25 years with an annual load of about 180 ethmoidal sinus surgery cases we have never had serious complications such as cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea or persisting optical disturbances in more than 4,000 operations. During 1984 at the Krupp Hospital we used the intranasal microsurgical approach for all patients with septal, ethmoidal sinus and lacrimal duct pathology, for 98% of cases requiring maxillary sinus procedures and for 82% of patients with frontal sinus problems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The bulla ethmoidalis: lamella or a true cell?

BACKGROUND: The anterior ethmoidal region, including the bulla ethmoidalis, is the most common area addressed during functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the bulla is essential for safe and effective surgery. HYPOTHESIS: Based on a review of historical articles on sinus anatomy and review of the current understanding of sinonasal embryology, it is suggested that the ethmoidal bulla is a "lamella" structure rather than a "cell," as it is widely accepted to be. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the anatomic conformation and nature of the ethmoidal bulla. METHODS: Detailed gross anatomic sagittal dissection of 14 sinonasal complexes with special attention to the ethmoidal bulla and surrounding structures and pneumatization tracts. RESULTS: The ethmoidal bulla consisted of a distinct bony lamella in all cases. The degree of development and pneumatization was variable, ranging from a rudimentary torus to a relatively well-pneumatized "bulla"-like structure. A pneumatization tract originating from the retrobullar recess was present in all specimens. This pneumatization excavated into the lamella, creating the bulla-like appearance as viewed from the middle meatus. However, the bulla was not a discrete individual ethmoid cell as it did not have a complete or discrete posterior bony wall. Rather, the posterior wall of this pneumatization tract was formed by the basal lamella. CONCLUSION: The ethmoidal bulla lacks a distinct posterior wall and therefore is not a separate cell but rather a bony lamella with an air space behind it. From an anatomic perspective, bulla is perhaps not the best term for this structure.     

Surgical anatomy of the turbinal wall of the ethmoidal labyrinth

The upper part of the lateral nasal wall is formed by a common structure or conchal lamina that is attached all along the junction between the ethmoidal roof and the cribriform plate. From this continuous conchal lamina, the different ethmoidal turbinates take their origin. All these structures form a well defined wall that encloses the ethmoidal cells medially and that deserves the name of "turbinal wall of the ethmoidal labyrinth". The objectives of this paper were: 1) to precisely define the anatomical landmarks of the turbinal wall of the ethmoidal labyrinth, and 2) to study, from an anatomical point of view, the consequences of the surgical resection of the middle turbinate. We performed an anatomic study on 12 frozen human heads, cut in a median-sagittal plane, and then photographed with a millimetre scale in order to perform several measurements. The surface of the turbinal wall of the ethmoidal labyrinth can range from 6.1 to 11.3 cm2. The resection of the middle turbinate preserves approximately half of the turbinal wall, this being around 4.3 cm2 (range 2.6 to 6.3 cm2). The conchal lamina appears as the noble sensorial element of the turbinal wall. It can be described as a continuous bone plate, grossly rectangular in shape, measuring approximately 1 cm in height and 3.5 cm in length that forms the lateral wall of the olfactory groove. The anatomic study shows that its dimensions can vary from simple to double in different individuals. It seems to us that instead of considering the difference of height between the cribriform plate and the ethmoidal roof (Keros classification), we should consider the vertical height of the conchal lamina as a potential risk factor in ethmoidal surgery.     

鼻内镜下蝶腭动脉区的外科解剖

目的探讨鼻内镜下蝶腭动脉区的解剖学特点。方法采用鼻内镜对10例(20侧鼻腔)经10%福尔马林溶液固定的正常成人尸头标本的蝶腭动脉及其与相关结构的关系进行解剖,观察蝶腭孔定位,筛骨嵴的形态、大小及其与蝶腭孔的关系;测量筛骨嵴与前鼻棘的间距以及筛骨嵴与中鼻甲尾端的间距,观察蝶腭动脉分支及其走行。结果筛骨嵴略呈三角棘状骨性结构,表面粗糙,位于蝶腭孔的前上方。去除筛骨嵴后可见蝶腭动脉血管束从蝶腭孔中穿出,蝶腭动脉常有2~3支不等分支。筛骨嵴与前鼻棘间距为(50.1±2.6)mm,筛骨嵴与中鼻甲尾端的间距为(9.1±1.1)mm。结论蝶腭动脉在出蝶腭孔之前可能有分支;筛骨嵴位置固定,是经鼻内镜下定位蝶腭动脉及蝶腭孔的重要解剖标志。     

From ethmoidal air cells to ethmoturbinal passages

The concept of ethmoidal sinuses composed of ethmoidal air cells does not appear to fit with the embryological origin of the ethmoid. Post-natal formation of the paranasal sinuses, as visualized by MRI, appears to be fundamentally different from the embryological development of the ethmoid sinus. These two organs also appear to have very distinct functions: paranasal sinuses play a role in respiration and sanitization of the respiratory tract, while the ethmoid sinus plays a role in olfaction. However, human acquisition of bipedalism resulted in ethmoidal compartmentalization into olfactory clefts lined by olfactory mucosa and the ethmoidal labyrinth formed by a meshwork of ethmoturbinals that have lost their olfactory mucosa. Ethmoturbinals are septa that increase the surface area of olfactory mucosa in mammalian olfactory chambers. Embryological development of the human ethmoid sinus can be seen as the result of curved stacking of ethmoturbinal septa forming passages. Surgically, these passages can be accessed via the middle, superior and supreme meati. An ethmoidectomy technique following the ethmoturbinal passages can therefore be described. This structure of the ethmoidal labyrinth is both useful and necessary for the teaching of ethmoidal surgery.     

Surgical anatomy of the anterior ethmoidal canal in ethmoid roof

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study was undertaken to examine three main relationships. First, the distance and angle from the anterior ethmoidal canal to the limen nasi and the sill were measured. Second, the location of the anterior ethmoidal canal was examined in relation to the lamellas and the skull base. Third, the existence of bony defects in the canal and the course of the canal through the anterior cranial fossa were studied. STUDY DESIGN: This study employed both sagittal computed tomography and cadaver dissection. METHODS: Seventy sagittally divided heads from randomly chosen Korean adult cadavers were used. Sagittal computed tomography was performed on all specimens. Then they were meticulously dissected under a surgical microscope. RESULTS: The mean distance and angle between the limen nasi and the anterior ethmoidal canal were 49.0 mm and 54.5 degrees, respectively. The anterior ethmoidal canal was located between the second and third lamella in 61 of 70 cases. In 60 of 70 cases it was attached to the base of the skull, and in the remaining 10 cases it ran 2 to 3 mm below the skull base. When viewed from the superior side, the course of the anterior ethmoidal canal formed a diagonal line from the lateral to the medial side. Partial bony defects of the anterior ethmoidal canal were observed in eight cases, and complete bony defects in none. CONCLUSION: This study provides surgeons with a better understanding of the anatomy of the anterior ethmoidal canal.     

Revision of carcinomas in paranasal sinuses

The annual incidence rate for paranasal sinus cancer is quite low in Europe at approximately 1 case a year per 100 000 inhabitants. The most frequent site is the maxillary sinus; in some countries such as Spain, however, carcinomas of the ethmoidal sinus complex are more prevalent. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent histological type and adenocarcinoma is the one with the best prognosis. In general terms, the association of surgery and radiotherapy continues to be the optimal therapeutic option. The inclusion of an endoscopic endonasal approach for the treatment of these lesions must be considered in very selective cases. Most authors currently accept invasion of the fat and muscles of the orbital apex and infiltration of the conjunctiva and/or sclera as an absolute indication for orbital exenteration. Lymph node involvement at diagnosis or in the course of the disease is infrequent, so prophylactic lymph node treatment would therefore not be indicated.     

Preoperative ethmoid artery ligation facilitates resection of large sub-frontal meningiomas

Optimal vascular control during neurosurgical resection of large sub-frontal meningioma is hindered by limited early access to the ethmoidal arteries. Pre-operative ligation of the ethmoidal arteries 1) induces tumor necrosis simplifying resection and 2) minimizes blood loss and operative time. Early arterial ligation is an advantage of endoscopic approaches to transnasal resection of anterior skull base meningiomas that is not appreciated in open approaches with larger meningioma. Here we present a case of a colossal meningioma where minimally invasive pre-operative ligation of ethmoidal arteries prior to a traditional open surgical approach allowed for improved vascular control and decreased surgical time.     

Preoperative diagnosis of allergic fungal sinusitis

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Although the diagnosis of allergic fungal sinusitis is mainly based on characteristic histopathological findings, certain preoperative diagnostic criteria have been proposed. However, their usefulness in differentiating allergic fungal sinusitis from other sinus diseases is unknown. The objective of the study was to identify accurate preoperative diagnostic parameters for allergic fungal sinusitis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, comparative study. METHODS: Twenty consecutive cases of allergic fungal sinusitis were evaluated prospectively and compared with 16 cases of ethmoidal polyposis and 5 cases of invasive sinus aspergillosis, with regard to various clinical, radiological, and immunological parameters. All patients were categorized based on histopathological findings. RESULTS: Nasal polyps were seen in all 20 cases of allergic fungal sinusitis, all 16 cases of ethmoidal polyposis, and 2 of 5 cases of invasive sinus aspergillosis. Computed tomography (CT) scan hyper-attenuation was seen in all 20 cases of allergic fungal sinusitis but also in 2 (13%) cases of ethmoidal polyposis and 2 (40%) cases of invasive sinus aspergillosis. Serum levels of specific anti-Aspergillus immunoglobulin E were elevated in 14 (70%) cases of allergic fungal sinusitis, 2 (13%) cases of ethmoidal polyposis, and 3 (60%) cases of invasive sinus aspergillosis. The combination of all three (ie, nasal polyps, CT scan hyper-attenuation, and elevated titers of anti-Aspergillus immunoglobulin) was not found in any case of ethmoidal polyposis or invasive sinus aspergillosis. This triad demonstrated a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 100% for the preoperative diagnosis of allergic fungal sinusitis. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal polyps, CT scan, and specific immunoglobulin E titers, when considered in combination, have a high preoperative diagnostic value in allergic fungal sinusitis. However, they should not be considered in isolation because considerable overlap occurs with invasive sinus aspergillosis and ethmoidal polyposis.     

Anterior ethmoidal electrocoagulation in the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis]

The anterior ethmoidal nerve (AEN) contains parasympathetic fibres of sneeze reflex arc, it is possible to obtain improvement of clinical symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis through anterior ethmoidal neurectomy. The authors performed intranasal electrocoagulation of AEN on 30 patients with vasomotor rhinitis and followed up for nine months. The results revealed that the total effective rate was 86%, and the procedure provides a simple, effective and painless method for treating vasomotor rhinitis.     

鼻丘气房和额隐窝内侧壁的解剖观察与手术切除

为提高鼻窦炎、鼻息肉的手术效果，对尸头和颅骨的鼻外侧壁骨结构进行解剖观察。结果示：中鼻甲垂直部前端附着处与筛顶间有约１．５ｃｍ的距离，此间即为鼻丘气房和额隐窝的所在部位，而鼻丘气房内侧壁愉好位于中鼻甲起端附着处上方。提示手术时切除中鼻甲起端附着缘上后方骨质，就开放了鼻丘和额隐窝的内侧壁。然后小心清除其内的病变组织，就能保持鼻窦开放，引流通畅，恢复通气，减少鼻息肉复发。并经对１５例患者术后随访０．５     

New guidelines for endoscopic localization of the anterior ethmoidal artery: a cadaveric study

OBJECTIVES: To determine objective data to improve the methods of identification of the anterior ethmoidal artery during endoscopic dissection. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaveric dissection of adult human heads. METHODS: A 0 degrees, 4-mm rigid endoscope was used to guide uncinectomy and frontoethmoidectomy. The location of the anterior ethmoidal artery was first determined visually and then confirmed by passing a needle through the anterior ethmoidal foramen from the orbit into the nose in all cases. The distances were endoscopically measured using a simple ruler between two nasal landmarks and the anterior ethmoidal artery. RESULTS: Fifty-six nasal fossae in 28 cadavers were dissected endoscopically. The median distance between the artery and the "axilla" formed by the anterior attachment of the middle turbinate to the lateral nasal wall was 20 mm (range, 17-25 mm), irrespective of the side. The measurement differed by less than 2 mm between the sides in the same individual. The median distance between the artery and the "axilla" formed by the medial and lateral crura of the lower lateral cartilage (superomedial edge of the nostril) was 62 mm (range, 55-75 mm) for both sides. The artery was found to be in direct alignment with the two "axillae" formed by the middle turbinate and the nostril edge. CONCLUSIONS: The distance between the ethmoidal artery and the axilla of the middle turbinate showed the least intraindividual and interindividual variations. The tip of the endoscope (or the ruler) points directly at the anterior ethmoidal artery in the fovea ethmoidalis when its edge is aligned with the two nasal landmarks. These simple guidelines can aid the identification of the artery in endoscopic frontoethmoidectomy.     

额窦开口引流的应用解剖学观察

目的　通过对额窦的应用解剖学观察,探讨额窦开口各种不同的引流方式,为临床建立一个安全的鼻内镜额窦开放手术路径,提供解剖学基础。方法　将34具（62侧,6侧额窦未发育）湿性成人尸头标本解剖后,显示额窦鼻腔开口、筛泡及钩突等,观察额窦开口及其引流部位、测量额窦鼻腔开口的直径大小。结果　34具（62侧）湿性尸头额窦矢状位观测额窦开口部位：额隐窝72.6%（45/62）,筛漏斗12.9%（8/62）,筛漏斗上隐窝14.5%（9/62）。62侧额窦鼻腔开口的直径观测结果：额隐窝（3.91±1.57）mm（1.7～6.9 mm）,筛漏斗（2.78±1.01）mm（1.8～5.3 mm）,筛漏斗上隐窝（3.37±1.29）mm（2.0～5.6 mm）,3种引流方式的开口直径大小无统计学意义（P =0.19、0.24、0.12）。结论　掌握额窦开口部位、引流方式的应用解剖,可预防额窦开放鼻内镜手术的并发症。     

Is pyogenic ethmoidal osteitis the cause of complicated rhinosinusitis with subperiosteal orbital abscess?

Multiple theories were described concerning the pathogenesis of orbital infection in rhinosinusitis, but no theory was proved. Understanding the cause of complication can allow its proper management. We speculate that subperiosteal orbital abscess (SPOA) secondary to rhinosinusitis is similar to subperiosteal abscess associated with osteomyelitis of bone all over the body. The objective was to evaluate bony changes of the ethmoidal sinuses in complicated rhinosinusitis patients with SPOA. This prospective controlled study was performed on eight patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery drainage for rhinosinusitis complicated with SPOA. Age, radiographic bony characteristics, and histopathological findings were all documented. Ethmoidal bone specimens were examined and assessed histopathologically. Purulence of SPOA was collected and sent for cultures. The authors evaluated normal ethmoidal bone specimens taken endoscopically from the medial wall of obstructing concha bullosa in ten control patients. The analysis revealed CT and histopathologic changes consistent with high grades of ethmoidal bone pyogenic osteitic changes. Coagulase-positive staphylococci were the predominant cultured bacteria (62.5%) in SPOA. These findings suggest that orbital subperiosteal abscess in rhinosinusitis patients is attributed to diffuse higher grades of ethmoidal sinus bony pyogenic osteitis. Staphylococcus aureus is the most commonly involved cultured bacteria. Bony osteitis in rhinosinusitis patients with SPOA is similar clinically and histopathologically in its character and behavior to osteomyelitis of bone all over the body with associated subperiosteal abscess.     

鼻丘气房和额隐窝内侧壁的解剖观测与手术切除

为提高鼻窦炎、鼻息肉的手术效果，对尸头和颅骨的鼻外侧壁骨结构进行解剖观测。结果示：中鼻甲垂直部前端附着处与筛顶间有约1．5cm的距离，此间即为鼻丘气房和额隐窝的所在部位，而鼻丘气房内侧壁恰好位于中鼻甲起端附着处上方。提示手术时切除中鼻甲起端附着缘上后方骨质，就开放了鼻丘和额隐窝的内侧壁。然后小心清除其内的病变组织，就能保持鼻窦开放，引流通畅，恢复通气，减少鼻息肉复发。并经对15例患者术后随访0．5～1．5年，均获满意疗效而得到证实。     

Quantitative histology of the normal ethmoidal sinus

In 16 patients the mucosa from 32 normal ethmoidal sinuses was removed post mortem and studied by whole-mount methods. In the anterior ethmoidal cells, there was a median density of 0.5 gland/mm2, in the posterior cells 0.13 gland/mm2. The distribution of the glands was irregular, with the highest density around the ostia. Individual variations of density were wide, ranging from 0.07 to 0.81 gland/mm2. The median density of goblet cells was the same in the anterior and posterior ethmoidal cells, about 6,900 cells/mm2. The greater part of the mucous secretion in the ethmoid is produced by the goblet cells.