Fronto-orbital mucoceles: our experience

Frontal sinus mucoceles are rare benign neoplasms that can result in bony erosion extending from the borders of the sinus into the orbital cavity. The authors report the fronto-orbital mucoceles they have observed in the last 8 years. The authors used an "open surgery" approach in 12 fronto-orbital mucoceles, characterized by an osteoplastic frontal flap, through a coronal incision or Lynch incision. In this way, they were able to expose the frontal sinus and to remove completely the mucocele from the periorbita. Only one recurrence is reported 2 years after surgery. Excellent aesthetic results have been reached in all cases. In the literature, many different positions are reported for the treatment of mucoceles. The endoscopic surgery of the paranasal sinuses has become the procedure of choice for mucoceles of maxillary, ethmoidal, and sphenoidal sinuses. However, few authors have recommended the endoscopic approach for frontal mucoceles. The indications and limitations of endoscopic and "open" surgery are critically discussed in the light of the authors' personal experience and current literature.     

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma of the maxillary sinus presenting as a periapical radiolucency: a case report and review of the literature

We report a case of respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma of the left maxillary sinus that initially presented as a periapical radiolucency involving the left maxillary first molar. Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma is a rare lesion that occurs in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and nasopharynx. Most cases are found in the nasal cavity associated with the posterior nasal septum. Involvement of the maxillary sinus is very unusual, and only one other report of a respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma involving the maxillary antrum was found in a search of the literature. The current case is additionally unique as it was initially detected in the course of a dental examination. Awareness of this lesion is important because inverted schneiderian papilloma and adenocarcinoma may be included in the histopathological differential diagnosis. Conservative surgical removal is curative and recurrence has not been reported.     

Modified surgical approach for removal of an ivory osteoma in the paranasal sinus. A case report

Osteomas are benign tumors that consist mainly of mature compact or cancellous bone. The most common site in maxillofacial complex is the mandible, particularly the angle, followed by sinuses. The authors report a case of an ivory osteoma of the paranasal sinus in a 16 year-old male patient. The lesion was located in the left paranasal sinus (frontal, ethmoidal and maxillary), obstructing the nasolacrimal duct, resulting in dacryocystitis and frontal mucocele. The ethmoid and orbital portions were approached and excised through a Weber-Ferguson incision and maxillary osteotomy was carried out to remove the ivory osteoma, considering its location in the central and deep region of the face. After tumor removal and drainage of frontal and ethmoidal sinuses, the bone flap was repositioned using titanium microplates and screws. Soft tissue was then sutured. The patient was seen again at 3 weeks, 3 months and 2 years after surgery. Overall, he showed a good recovery and wound healing. A multispeciality team approach is advisable in such cases if radical excision is necessary. A craniofacial approach made radical single stage excision of this multicompartmental ivory osteoma possible with an uneventful postoperative period.     

Oral mucoceles - review of the literature

Oral mucoceles are mucin filled cavities and lined by ductal epithelium or covered by granulation tissue in retention or extravasation type respectively. The extra-vasation type is very common in the minor salivary glands (particularly in the labial glands), but very infrequent in the major salivary glands, whilst most of the retention cyst affect the major salivary glands. Partial obstruction of duct and spillage of mucin following trauma are the chief etiological factors. Though the two lesions are clinically indistinguishable, the patients are typically older than in the case of extra-vasation type. The case history along with heedful clinical examination of the lesion is crucial for diagnosing mucoceles correctly, but to avoid recurrences histopathological examination is mandatory. The surgical approach to mucoceles is the most common mode of treatment amongst various other techniques including cryosurgery, laser and so on.     

Complex odontoma of unusual size involving the maxillary sinus: report of a case and review of CT and histopathologic features.

An unusually large complex odontoma of the maxilla, occupying the entire maxillary sinus with expansion into the floor of the orbit and left nasal fossa, is reported. Although occurrences of complex odontomas are not considered rare, odontomas attaining extremely large sizes, especially involving the entire maxillary sinus with extension to the orbital floor and nasal fossae, are indeed, rare. In this article, the literature is reviewed to identify the common clinical, radiographic, and histologic characteristics of such lesions, and the outcome of treatment is discussed. Complex odontomas occasionally have significant growth potential, especially in the first two decades of life. Early recognition and consideration for surgical excision are key to successful management of this common odontogenic lesion. When odontomas extend beyond the alveolar process into the fascial planes, nasal fossae, paranasal sinuses, and orbits, computed tomography can readily demonstrate the extent and boundaries of the lesion.     

Complete loss of vision caused by a giant mucocele of the frontal sinus

The authors report the case of a 75-year-old man presenting with an exceptionally large giant posttraumatic mucocele of the frontal sinus years after a gunshot blast to the head. The lesion had grown so extensively that the right eye had shrunk and calcified, resulting in total monocular blindness, a complication that has been reported only once. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that a giant mucocele of such a large size is reported. We describe how the patient underwent surgical removal of this massive lesion, cranial base reconstruction, and a cosmetic oculoplastic procedure. The etiology, clinical presentation, and possible complications are reviewed, as well as the importance of a regular clinical follow-up and early surgical cure. Although the diagnosis and management of mucoceles are nowadays considered quite standard, the exceptional size of the lesion illustrated here emphasizes the destructive potential of such seemingly indolent lesions. Despite the benign histology of mucoceles, one should never underestimate their morbid potential or be lulled in delaying surgical cure. Large mucoceles should be removed as quickly as possible to prevent such unacceptable complications as permanent visual loss.     

Sinonasal glomangiopericytoma

Glomangiopericytoma (sinonasal-type hemangiopericytoma) is a rare tumor arising from the periyctes surrounding capillaries and accounts for less than 0.5% of all sinonasal tumors. It falls within the category of borderline and low-malignant-potential soft tissue tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses. It is defined by the World Health Organization as a sinonasal tumor demonstrating a perivascular myoid phenotype. It was noted that when this lesion arose in the nasal cavity, it tended to behave in a more indolent fashion than its soft tissue counterpart, suggesting that sinonasal hemangiopericytomas represented a distinct entity. We report a case of a 68-year-old female patient diagnosed with glomangiopericytoma arising in the left sinonasal cavity and discussed the condition in terms of differential diagnosis.     

Retention mucoceles of the oral mucosa

Abstract. Some of the clinical and histological features of 12 retention and 224 extravasation mucoceles of minor oral salivary glands are compared. Retention mucoceles occurred in a much older age group than extravasation mucoceles, and were very uncommon in the lower lip which was by far the most frequent site for extravasation mucoceles. All the retention mucoceles were lined by eosinophilic, oncocyte-like epithelium as either a double or a single layer of columnar, cuboidal or compressed flat cells. There is no evidence to support the generally accepted suggestion that retention mucoceles are due to duct blockage, and it is postulated that either they may arise as spontaneous cystic change in an oncocyte-lined duct, or they represent a cystic type of papillary cystadenoma.     

Primary malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity

Primary malignant melanoma of the nose and paranasal sinus mucosa is a rare disease and seen in less than 1% among all melanomas. Malignant melanomas have 2 origins: cutaneous and mucosal. The mucosal form has a worse prognosis because of its aggressiveness compared with that of the cutaneous form. Mucosal melanomas often occur at a rate of 2% to 3% among all melanomas and are typically found in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Generally, it is more common in males and in those older than 50 years. In this study, 4 patients were observed at the Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine; 2 of them were a 64-year-old man and an 82-year-old woman who had a malignant melanoma originating from the nasal septal mucosa, 1 patient was a 72-year-old woman whose malignant melanoma originated from the inferior turbinate, and 1 patient was a 77-year-old woman with a sinonasally located melanoma. The conditions of these patients were discussed under the light of literature instructions.     

Extensive sphenoethmoid mucocele--an endoscopic management

Sphenoethmoidal mucoceles are rare tumors. They gradually expand in size and rarely produce bony destruction of sinus walls, leading to orbital, ocular, and intracranial involvement. We present a rare case of sphenoethmoidal mucocele with bone destruction and intracranial extension, who presented with nasal blockade and loss of visual acuity. Computed tomographic scan revealed a soft tissue mass, eroding the base of anterior cranial fossa, extending intracranially into the parasellar temporal fossa. The patient was treated successfully by endoscopic excision. Although a transfacial approach is generally preferred in cases of extensive mucoceles with intracranial extensions, a thorough anatomy of the nasal skull base and proficient use of the endoscope can be a good alternative to such lesions.     

Strabismus secondary to frontal sinus mucocele associated with nasal polyposis

Paranasal mucoceles are regarded as slow-growing and benign lesions. They are usually recognized by otorhinolaryngologists, but a clinically relevant mucocele with orbital complications may present to an ophthalmologist. We report a 15-year-old's case with unilateral reduced ocular motility due to bilateral frontal mucocele associated with grade II nasal polyposis.     

Superficial mucocele: report of 4 cases.

Four cases of the lesion first described as superficial mucocele by Eveson in 1988 are reported. All of the lesions developed in adult women; two of the women had concurrent oral lichen planus. The mucoceles were found on the soft palate, the buccal mucosa, and the upper and lower labial mucosa. The etiologic factors and pathogenesis of this lesion are discussed.     

鼻唇部血液供应的应用解剖学研究

目的 :探讨正常人和双侧完全唇裂者鼻及上唇部的血液供应。方法 :正常头部标本 11例 ,双侧完全唇裂标本 2例。氧化铅动脉造影后 ,对鼻唇部进行X线摄片及显微解剖观察。结果 :鼻的血供主要来源于鼻外侧动脉 ,还有筛前动脉的分支、眼动脉的鼻背支参与。正常上唇的血供主要来源于上唇动脉及其分支 ,还可见鼻翼下缘动脉、鼻中隔后动脉和筛前动脉的分支。双侧完全唇裂者的鼻翼下缘动脉和上唇动脉鼻中隔支缺失。两侧上唇动脉不能在中线处相连续。结论 :鼻及上唇的血液供应分别来源于不同动脉 ,动脉的分支及走行各有自身特点     

Mucoceles of the maxillary sinus

Antral mucoceles are a separate entity that must be distinguished from the common, dome-shaped lesions of the floor of the sinus that are also often, although inaccurately, referred to as mucoceles. The latter lesions are known by a variety of names, including pseudocysts, and are innocuous. True antral mucoceles are potentially destructive lesions that are often secondary to trauma, especially the Caldwell-Luc procedure. This article describes in some detail the clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic features of true antral mucoceles. One type of antral mucocele, commonly seen in Japan, is referred to as a postoperative maxillary cyst and is identical to the surgical ciliated cyst of the maxilla originally reported by Gregory and Shafer.     

Mucocele of the upper lip: case report of an uncommon presentation and its differential diagnosis

This report describes a lesion of the upper lip that was definitively diagnosed by histologic examination as a mucocele or mucus retention phenomenon. The usual location of mucoceles is the lower lip. This case illustrates an uncommon presentation of mucocele with respect to symptoms, location and duration. The features of a variety of oral lesions are discussed and compared, to help clinicians in establishing an appropriate differential diagnosis.     

Mucopyocele of the concha bullosa presenting as a large nasal mass

Concha bullosa that is a pneumatization of the middle turbinate is a common anatomic variant; the obstruction of its ostium may lead to mucocele and even pyocele after infection of retained secretion. Although the condition is rare, mucopyocele of concha bullosa may be presented as a large nasal mass. However, the diagnosis could be suspected from its characteristic radiologic signs. We present an adolescent boy with mucopyocele of the concha bullosa.     

Cemento-ossifying fibroma of the ethmoidal sinus in a child presenting with isolated pain in the nasal region

The authors present a case of a previously healthy 8-year-old girl who presented with pain on the right side of the nose (bony part) radiating to the frontal and temporal regions. Physical examination was normal, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the facial region revealed a tumor limited to the right ethmoidal sinus with a small extension to the medial wall and the upper part of the nasal septum. The tumor was removed by using a 5-degree nasoscope and sent for pathologic examination, which revealed a cemento-ossifying fibroma of the ethmoidal sinus. This is a rare condition, and MRI is a valuable tool in its detection because results of physical examination may be normal in patients reporting nasal pain. According to the World Health Organization classification, this tumor is a variant of cementifying fibromas, which represent a subgroup of cementomas, fibro-osseous lesions containing cementum. Cementifying fibromas are rare tumors. They are usually small, asymptomatic lesions, but although benign, they can develop into aggressive, expansible masses.     

A Rare Case of Orbital Cellulitis Followed by Therapeutic(Orthodontic) Extraction

We report a rare case of orbital cellulitis occurring secondary to a dental infection followed by therapeutic (orthodontic) extraction. A 16 year old female patient presented to the dental office with a left orbital proptosis for the past 4 days. PNS view, CT scan revealed an abscess in relation to medial, lateral superior inferior walls of the orbit associated with naso ethmoidal and left maxillary sinus. Through nasal endoscopy, middle meatus antrostomy and ethmoidectomy was performed for the drainage of pus from the orbit, ethmoid and maxillary sinus under general anesthesia. Immediately regression of orbital swelling was noticed. Eyeball movements improved. Epiphora reduced and proptosis declined. With the advent of higher antibiotics, orbital infection rarely occurs secondary to dental causes except in a very few cases. Complete elimination of pus from orbital cavity, para nasal air sinuses and appropriate antibiotic coverage at the earliest forms the mainstay of treatment. The nasal endoscopic approach with orbital decompression is the most acceptable atrumatic, cosmetic and functional procedure.     

Maxillary antral mucocele and its relevance for maxillary sinus augmentation grafting: a case report

Paranasal sinus mucoceles are benign, locally expansile cyst-like masses that are filled with mucus and lined with epithelium. Most occur in the frontal sinus. Maxillary sinus mucoceles are presumably uncommon in the United States and European countries, although they have been frequently reported in Japan, particularly following Caldwell-Luc surgery. Clinical symptoms may not appear for at least 10 years postoperatively. Chronic sinus inflammation and allergic disease are also common causes of paranasal mucoceles. This paper provides an overview of maxillary sinus mucoceles and presents a case study involving a 62-year-old Latin male whose asymptomatic maxillary sinus mucocele was not revealed until he presented for maxillary sinus grafting and implant placement.