Endonasal approach for nasal and paranasal sinus tumor removal

Patients with benign (53) and malignant (22) tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses were treated for tumor removal via an endonasal approach. Patient selection was based on tumor location (centrally) rather than histology. Tumors attainable by the endonasal approach were located in the nasal cavity, the ethmoid sinus, the sphenoid sinus and the medial wall of the maxillary sinus. Endonasal microscopic techniques including endonasal orbital decompression and endonasal closure of CSF-leaks were combined with surgical navigation tools in selected cases. Surgical trauma and morbidity could be minimized without compromising radicality of tumor removal. Postoperative hospitalization was comparable to the period needed after chronic inflammatory disease. Growing experience with endonasal techniques is leading towards a safe and effective treatment option for centrally located, selected tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses.