Frontal sinus obliteration with autologous calvarial bone graft: indications and results

Frontal sinus obliteration with beta-tricalcium phosphate putty: case series with long-term radiological follow up

OBJECTIVES

Frontal sinus obliteration is often performed using fat, autologous bone or a range of synthetic materials. This paper reports the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of frontal sinus obliteration using beta-tricalcium phosphate putty.

METHODS

A retrospective audit was performed of patients who underwent frontal sinus obliteration with beta-tricalcium phosphate putty. Patient-, disease- and procedure-related data were collected. Pre- and post-operative computed tomography scans were reviewed to assess bone integration.

RESULTS

Four patients underwent frontal sinus obliteration using beta-tricalcium phosphate putty for treatment of a cerebrospinal leak, mucocele and recalcitrant frontal sinusitis. All patients had disease resolution, with no intra- or post-operative complications reported in the 16.5-month follow up. Post-operative computed tomography scans confirmed native bone obliteration of the frontonasal ducts in all patients.

CONCLUSION

Beta-tricalcium phosphate putty is a safe and effective option for bone obliteration of the frontal sinus in a range of pathologies, including cerebrospinal fluid leak.

[The differential approach to the surgical treatment of pathologies of the frontal sinus]

The surgical intervention for the management of frontal sinusitis is required in a large fraction of patients presenting with this condition. The treatment of choice for the pathology in question is endoscopic endonasal frontotomy. Whenever the endoscopic technique is impossible to employ, the surgeon has to resort to an extranasal operation on the frontal sinus. The indications for the application of such strategy include the pathological conditions complicated by the intracranial and orbital processes, the presence of large benign tumours, recurrent post-surgical purulent sinusitis and traumatic frontal sinusitis. For the preservation of the functionally competent frontal sinus during extranasal frontotomy, a frontonasal fistula with all bony walls and maximally spared mucous membrane can be created. In order to remove an osteotoma from the frontal sinus, we applied the osteoplastic approach with the formation of the osteo-periosteal flap from the frontal wall of the sinus. In those cases when it was impossible to restore the frontal sinus and there was a closed bone cavity undergoing purulent inflammation we practiced obliteration of the cavity with the use of a porous carbon implant.

First results of frontal sinus obliteration with a synthetic, resorbable and osteoconductive bone graft of ß-tricalcium phosphate

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in endoscopic sinus surgery, frontal sinus obliteration is still indicated in some cases. Current options for obliteration include autologous and synthetic materials. The use of ß-tricalcium phosphate as a resorbable bone graft substitute is a good alternative for frontal sinus obliteration. This study aimed to report our experience with this material.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent frontal sinus obliteration at our clinic between 2008 and 2013 was performed. Demographic data, indications, previous surgery, and immediate and late complications were examined. Information on persisting symptoms and patient outcomes was collected using a telephone questionnaire in February 2016.

RESULTS

None of the patients underwent further surgery for frontal sinus disease. All of them reported a good cosmetic result and symptom improvement.

CONCLUSION

ß-tricalcium phosphate is a good, safe and cost-effective material for frontal sinus obliteration.

Trauma of the midface

Fractures of the midface pose a serious medical problem as for their complexity, frequency and their socio-economic impact. Interdisciplinary approaches and up-to-date diagnostic and surgical techniques provide favorable results in the majority of cases though. Traffic accidents are the leading cause and male adults in their thirties are affected most often. Treatment algorithms for nasal bone fractures, maxillary and zygomatic fractures are widely agreed upon whereas trauma to the frontal sinus and the orbital apex are matter of current debate. Advances in endoscopic surgery and limitations of evidence based gain of knowledge are matters that are focused on in the corresponding chapter. As for the fractures of the frontal sinus a strong tendency towards minimized approaches can be seen. Obliteration and cranialization seem to decrease in numbers. Some critical remarks in terms of high dose methylprednisolone therapy for traumatic optic nerve injury seem to be appropriate. Intraoperative cone beam radiographs and preshaped titanium mesh implants for orbital reconstruction are new techniques and essential aspects in midface traumatology. Fractures of the anterior skull base with cerebrospinal fluid leaks show very promising results in endonasal endoscopic repair.