Pneumosinus dilatans of the frontal and ethmoidal sinuses: case report

Enlargement of paranasal sinuses with air is rare with less than 50 cases reported in the medical literature. This craniofacial malformation was first described by Meyes in 1898 and its aetiology still remains unknown. Local pain, ocular alterations, anosmia, headache and cosmetic disturbances are the most common symptoms. We present a case of pneumosinus dilatans diagnosed in a male, 8 years of age. He presented with left fronto-orbital bossing that enlarged slowly until he was 12 years old, at which point its growth appeared to increase dramatically. Computerized tomography revealed an enlargement of the frontal and ethmoidal sinuses, with marked deformation of the anterior wall and of the roof of the left frontal sinus, as well as the roof of the ethmoid and upper sinus medial orbital wall. The sinus walls were of normal thickness. Access was via a bicoronal incision and osteotomy of the deformed fronto-orbital bossing. Reconstruction was undertaken with a periosteal flap and hydroxyapatite bone cement (Norian) following sinus mucosal stripping and obliteration of the sinus with fat. Six months postoperatively, the patient was without recurrence and had a good cosmetic result.