[Squamous cell carcinoma of the frontal sinus caused osteomyelitis of the frontal bone]

A case of the squamous cell carcinoma of the frontal sinus complicated with osteomyelitis of the frontal bone was reported. A 47-year-old male was admitted to Asahikawa Medical College Hospital because of a bulging of forehead and remittent fever of a six-month history and general convulsive seizures on the day before admission. On physical examination, a bulging of forehead with redness, tenderness and fluctuation was noted. Sense of smell diminished bilaterally. Oto-laryngological examination disclosed paranasal sinusitis. Skull X-P and CT scan suggested osteomyelitis of the frontal bone secondary to frontal sinusitis. However, a frontal sinus tumor with osteomyelitis was also possible. Operation was performed and a granulomatous mass attached to the dura with thick epidural abscess was noted. The mass and affected bone edge were removed. Pathological examination of the specimens disclosed findings of squamous cell carcinoma and osteomyelitis. Recurrence of the tumor rapidly occurred and reoperation was performed a month after the first operation. Postoperative irradiation and chemotherapy with pepleomycin were done but failed to control the growth and recurrence occurred immediately. The tumor penetrated the skin of the forehead and the patient died of cachexy 7 months after the first surgery. Osteomyelitis usually occurred in the metaphysis of long tubular bone and rarely in short bone or flat bone such as a skull. This is attributed to the difference of distribution of the bone marrow vessels. Embolization and subsequent growth of bacteria in the blood flow is less liable to occur in short bone and flat bone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)