Endonasal surgery in mucopyocele of the paranasal sinuses

Mucopyocele of the paranasal sinuses generally develops as complication in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases of the paranasal sinuses, but could also be secondary to trauma, tumor or surgical manipulation. Surgery is the definitive method of cure.

The aim of the study was to assess the endonasal microsurgical marsupialization in treatment of mucopyocele.

Five patients (3 females and 2 males) with mucopyocele of the frontal and/or ethmoidal sinuses were treated in the Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat Diseases at the Medical University in Plovdiv for the period 1996-1999. The process location was exactly defined by high-resolution computed tomography. Endonasal microendoscopic anterior ethmoidectomy with marsupialization was performed. In two patients (frontal sinus mucocele) the endonasal approach was combined with an extranasal approach keeping the functional principles.

The control endoscopic and computer tomographic examinations did not show recurrence of the disease.

Surgical approach in mucocele of the sinuses should be based on the findings of accurate computed tomography, rather than performed as a routine technique. This allows the operation to be particularized, trauma and duration of the operation reduced and function of the sinunasal system preserved.