Correction of a contour deformity associated with frontal pneumosinus dilatans using surgical navigation technology

Pneumosinus dilatans (PD) is a pathologic hyperaeration of the paranasal sinuses of unknown etiology. Although benign itself, PD has been associated with a number of serious concomitant conditions, including meningioma, optic nerve tumors, and visual loss. Patients with PD often present with cosmetic complaints, desiring recontouring of the facial bones to achieve an improved appearance of the face. The present case illustrates one of the first attempts at intraoperative surgical navigation to map the frontal sinus during correction of the facial deformity caused by PD. The navigation device was used to give the surgical team real-time information during the case to prevent violation of the posterior table of the frontal sinus, allowing for facial bone contouring to occur in a more efficient and safer manner by way of accurate osteotomy placement with no wasted bone for reconstruction and no accidental intracranial involvement.