Mucoceles: a neurosurgical perspective

The neurosurgical manifestations in three patients with sphenoid sinus mucoceles and two others with fronto-ethmoidal mucoceles are presented. In two patients, sphenoid sinus mucoceles produced visual loss while in the other severe headache was the only symptom. Both patients with fronto-ethmoidal mucoceles presented with proptosis. All patients had surgical treatment. While other symptoms were relieved following treatment, visual loss remained unchanged in both patients in whom it was present. We recommend a high level of suspicion for mucoceles as a cause of sudden or progressive visual loss. Prompt surgical therapy is needed to achieve good visual outcome.