Endoscopic transorbital management of frontal sinus mucocele: a case report and review of the literature

Ophthalmology and oculoplastics for the rhinologist

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

As the management of ophthalmic and sinus disease advances, it is important to stay abreast of all current management options. This involves knowledge of adjacent anatomy and disease processes, and collaboration between multiple specialties. The authors provide a review of relevant ophthalmic and oculoplastic topics for the rhinologist.

RECENT FINDINGS

The scope and surgical skills of oculoplastic and rhinologist specialists have grown in conjunction with medical and technological advancements. Familiarity with the presentations of sinus disease in the orbit can decrease the time to disease recognition, and improve morbidity and mortality. Collaborative approaches provide improved access to areas of interest throughout the orbit and sinuses. Multiportal, transorbital, and endoscopic techniques can improve patient morbidity and mortality compared to conventional open approaches. Familiarity with all medical and surgical treatment options can help tailor treatments to patients' needs.

SUMMARY

Multidisciplinary approaches to sinus and orbit disease and the incorporation of new surgical technologies can improve patient options and outcomes.

Comprehensive access strategies to the frontal sinus

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite the impressive evolutions in endoscopic endonasal approaches and instrumentations, the frontal sinus remains a challenging area. Different surgical options have been described over the years, but the main criticism lies in choosing the most suitable approach for a given case, based on the anatomy of each patient and the disease to treat. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive review of surgical access strategies currently available to address the frontal sinus, including both endonasal and traditional external procedures, analysing indications, contraindications, complications and outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Frontal sinus surgery includes minimally invasive endonasal approaches (balloon dilatation, Draf type I); extended endonasal approaches (Draf type IIA-IIB-IIC, Draf type III and their modifications via orbital transposition and contralateral pyriform aperture resection); external procedures (superior eyelid incision, frontal osteoplastic flap, Riedel procedure, Riedel-Mosher operation); and combined approaches.

SUMMARY

Recent advances in endoscopic endonasal techniques have deeply reshaped the surgical options to manage frontal sinus diseases, in an attempt to minimize the invasiveness of the procedures and maximize their outcomes. Traditional external procedures should be used in selected cases nonamenable for endonasal surgery. The appropriate selection of cases appears to be of paramount importance to obtain successful outcomes.

Frontal Mucopyocoele Presenting With Recurrent Periorbital Cellulitis: A Delayed Diagnosis

Periorbital cellulitis is an uncommon presentation to primary care and the emergency department. With multiple aetiologies, it is crucial that an appropriate history and examination are applied to identify the primary cause and initiate therapy in a timely manner. We present a 30-year-old male who presented with recurrent periorbital cellulitis treated repeatedly with antibiotics without consideration of the origin of the infection. Subsequent investigations discovered a widely dehiscent mucopyocoele of the frontal sinus that had been unrecognised and untreated. Once identified, the patient underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery to clear the mucopyocoele and improve the drainage of the frontal sinus. Symptoms have not recurred since the surgical intervention. A poor understanding of the aetiologies of periorbital cellulitis and the related anatomy likely played a role in his delayed definitive management. Clinicians should be aware that in a patient presenting with periorbital swelling and erythema, consideration should be given to the possibility of underlying sinonasal pathology.