Surgery of the anterior skull base

Inflammatory disease of the frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid paranasal sinuses may extend to the adjacent anterior skull base and then intracranially. The potential for this serious complication of sinus disease must be recognized by the primary otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon, and alternative management strategies must be taken once it is diagnosed. Topics discussed in this article include cranial anatomy, surgical techniques and variations, complications, and special considerations.