[Endoscopic or endoscope-assisted surgery for sinonasal malignancy]

To discuss the feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of resection of sinonasal malignant tumours through endoscopic or endoscope-assisted surgery.

Since 1997, 11 cases of malignant tumours were resected under endoscope or by endoscope-assisted surgery. Among them, 5 patients were followed-up for more than 3 years, including one case of nasal septum squamous cell carcinoma; one case of ethmoid sinus squamous cell carcinoma; one case of maxillary sinus adenoid cystic carcinoma and two cases of olfactory neuroblastoma.

In the patients who were followed-up for more than three years, no local recurrence was found. There was only one case of cervical lymph node metastasis found on a patient with olfactory neuroblastoma 2. 5 years after resection. Four years after operation, this patient was suspected to have extensive metastasis in meninges, and only palliative treatment was suggested.

By endoscope or by endoscope-assisted surgery, some of selected sinonasal malignant tumours can be thoroughly resected. The advantages are mini-invasive and avoidance of facial scar so as to improve the quality of life (QOL) of patients. Large amount of cases, random clinical study with lone- term follow-up are still needed to verify the feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic or endoscope-assisted surgery.