Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026
Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery
Published on: July 5, 2021
Endoscopic Resection of Giant Ethmoid Osteomas with the Assistance of an Image-guidance System
Yunqiang Wang1, Dajian Li2, Aihua Jiang3
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, P.R. China Department of Imaging of Head and Neck, Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, P.R. China.
Aim:
To investigate the minimally invasive ablation of giant osteoma of the ethmoid sinuses endonasally with the assistance of an image-guidance system.
Patients And Methods:
A retrospective analysis was carried out on 12 patients with osteomas of ethmoid sinuses treated by endoscopic surgery with the help of a navigation system from April 2005 to October 2013.
Results:
Osteomas in all 12 patients were giant and connected extensively with the anterior skull base, lamina papyracea, or orbital apex, and were removed successfully with the help of an endoscope and image navigation system under general anaesthesia. In two cases (one through superciliary arch incision and the other one through labiogingival incision), the procedure was combined with an external procedure to remove osteomas. All patients were followed-up for 8 to 64 months. No recurrences were found. All symptoms gradually vanished or reduced dramatically after surgery. One case of frontal mucocele was observed and was successfully removed 5 years after removal of the osteoma. Anosmia occurred in both patients who underwent crista galli resection, and no recovery was noted 9 and 26 months later. Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea was found in one case during surgery and was repaired with mucosa of inferior nasal concha immediately, and primary healing was successful.
Conclusion:
Endoscopic ablation of giant osteomas of the ethmoid sinuses with the guidance of a navigation system is an accurate, secure, minimally invasive procedure. A careful study of the preoperative computed tomographic scan is necessary for the success of the operation. If the lesion extensively affects the frontal sinus and maxillary sinus, a combination of superciliary arch incision and labiogingval groove incision is a simple, easy and elegant option.
