Mucoceles of the paranasal sinuses with intracranial extension-postoperative course

Mucoceles of the paranasal sinuses cause progressive distension of the bony walls and induce compressive symptoms. Although rare, cases of massive intracranial extension have occurred. We believe that an endoscopic transnasal approach is the best choice for such huge mucoceles because it is the least invasive and can provide an adequate surgical field of view for wide marsupialization. However, the results of long-term follow-up after endoscopic transnasal surgery have not been reported. This study was designed to evaluate prospectively the postoperative course of patients with intracranially extended mucocele. In the last 5 years, we have operated on four patients with intracranially extended mucocele. Although postopertive scanning is not recommended routinely after surgery for inflammatory disease, we followed up two patients who consented by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with endoscopy. Dural descent to the original skull base plane necessitated long periods of follow-up, lasting 18 and 5 months, respectively. On the mucocele wall mucosa, which had been smooth during surgery, polyps and granulations developed after surgical drainage and lasted for a considerable time. Although endoscopic transnasal opening of mucocele is a method of choice, we recommend follow-up of such patients for long periods, at least until the frontal skull base dura returns to its original position.