[Diagnosis and endoscopic therapy for lateral sphenoid sinus recess lesions]

To highlight concepts critical to achieving successful diagnosis and endoscopic therapy for lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus (LRSS) lesions, operative techniques, and avoiding complications in the treatment were discussed.

Pathology within a lateral recess of a widely pneumatized sphenoid sinus is difficult to access with the use of traditional open and current endoscopic surgical approaches. A new surgical procedure, the endoscopic tranapterygoid approach, directly accesses this region. A clinical experience over several years with this approach is reported as well as a refined and updated description of the technique. Twenty-six patients with LRSS lesions were retrospectively studied, from 2008 to 2013, 11 males and 15 females. Ages ranged from 21 to 68 years (mean 43 years). Radiological investigations consisted of computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance images (MRI) in all cases. An endoscopic tranapterygoid approach was performed in all patients under general aneasthesia, 4 to resect a middle fossa meningoencephalocele and repair the CSF leak and associated skull base defect.

All the operations were successful. Patients tolerated the approach well and no significant complications occurred. Post operative pathology made definite diagnosis. Meningoencephalocele 4 cases, sphenoid sinus cyst 10 cases (4 cases only were subtotal resected for it's tight adhesions with optic nerve or internal carotid artery) , fungal sinusitis 5 cases (non-invasive fungal sinusitis, pathogenic funga was aspergillus) chronic sphenoid sinusitis 5 cases. Nine patients had postoperative ipsilateral facial, upper lip and palatal hypesthesia, not given treatment, gradually relieved after 6 months. No recurrence was found during follow-up for 6 to 53 months (mean 23.8 months).

It had very important implications for high resolution CT combined with MRI in diagnosis of LRSS lesions. In selected cases, the endoscopic tranapterygoid approach enables the otolaryngologist to meet modern demands to treat conditions in the lateral sphenoid using minimally invasive techniques that are well-tolerated by patients. The endoscopic transpterygoid approach is an excellent approach for dealing with LRSS lesions.