Our experience with the surgical management of paranasal sinus osteomas

The aim of this work is to describe our experience with the management of osteomas of the fronto-ethmoidal region, and to evaluate the limits and possibilities of different approaches: endonasal endoscopic versus external surgical resection of symptomatic osteomas. A review of 26 patients with detected osteomas in tertiary health care center was accomplished. We analysed the 26 adult patients, which detected paranasal sinus (PNS) osteomas--patients who underwent paranasal sinus CT examinations almost exclusively for other reasons. We analysed the patient's symptoms, localization and size of osteomas, clinical and imaging signs, in relation to adjacent structures. Of the 26 cases, 16 located in the etmoid sinus, eight in the frontal sinus, of which two with orbital one with an ethmoid extension, and one isolated maxillary and sphenoid sinus were involved. We treated 11 patients with endoscopic (eight cases) and external surgical approaches (three cases). Besides this surgical excision; 15 cases were kept in follow up, because of asymptomatic nature of the PNS osteomas or patients lack of consent. While the extranasal approach is still a part of the treatment concept for removing osteomas; over the last years, in suitable cases, the endoscopically controlled endonasal approach has greatly gained importance due to the improved surgical equipment and experience.