Surgical Approach to Frontal Sinus Osteoma: A Systematic Review

Benign bony lesions of paranasal sinuses and skull base: from osteoma to fibrous dysplasia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Benign bony lesions of the craniofacial complex are relatively common. However, their location close to critical neurovascular structures may render their treatment, if required, highly challenging.This article reviews the current literature on their pathophysiology, diagnosis, natural course and treatment, with a focus on most recent findings.

RECENT FINDINGS

A new classification has been suggested concerning endoscopic resectability. The ratio of lateral frontal to interorbital distance can accurately and reliably predict the endoscopic reach to lateral frontal sinus, while orbital transposition can assist us in reaching lateral frontal sinus when anatomy is unfavorable. New and combined endoscopic transnasal and transorbital approaches are now in the surgical armamentarium. Prophylactic optic nerve decompression in fibrous dysplasia is absolutely contraindicated as it leads to worse visual outcomes. Radiotherapy of such lesions is of no benefit and may lead to a higher risk of malignant transformation. The presence of Guanine Nucleotide binding protein Alpha Stimulating (GNAS) mutation in chromosome 20 is universally present in fibrous dysplasia and can differentiate them from ossifying fibromas.

SUMMARY

Diagnosis and therapeutic management of benign craniofacial bone lesions remains challenging. If surgical treatment is contemplated, the morbidity of the intervention should always be weighed against the potential benefits. Evolution of extended endoscopic endonasal and transorbital surgery means that more lesions can be reached purely endoscopically with better oncological and cosmetic results.

Special Considerations in Pediatric Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery

Originally pioneered in adults, endoscopic endonasal approaches for skull base pathology are being increasingly applied as a minimally invasive alternative for young children. Intrinsic anatomic differences between these patient populations have sparked discussions on the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of these techniques in pediatric patients. This work aims to serve as a primer for clinicians engaged in the rapidly evolving field of pediatric endoscopic skull base surgery. A succinct overview of relevant embryology, sinonasal anatomy, and diagnostic workup is presented to emphasize key differences and unique technical considerations. Additional discussions regarding select skull base lesions, reconstructive paradigms, potential surgical complications, and postoperative care are also highlighted in the setting of multidisciplinary teams.

Management of Giant Frontoethmoid Osteoma by Combined Approach

Giant osteomas of the frontoethmoidal region often manifest early with ocular symptoms and intracranial complications. The management involves careful surgical planning of both the approach and reconstruction. In the present case report, a case of giant frontoethmoid osteoma presented with ocular symptoms and cosmetic deformity. The case was managed by a combined endoscopic and open surgical approach along with reconstruction of the sinus wall defect using a pericranial flap and titanium mesh. The outcome was found to be satisfactory with the resolution of ocular symptoms and good cosmesis.

Endoscopic Excision of Frontal Recess Osteoma in a Patient With Nasal Polyposis

Paranasal sinus (PNS) osteomas are benign growths that are usually asymptomatic and often discovered incidentally upon imaging. Nasal polyps, on the other hand, are relatively commoner than osteomas. With the adoption of endoscopic technology in the otorhinolaryngology (ORL) field, surgeons are shifting toward less invasive surgical methods in managing such cases. We present a case of a 23-year-old male who had chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. A computed tomography (CT) done as part of his preoperative planning revealed findings suggestive of nasal polyps with left frontal recess osteoma. Both pathologies were removed successfully via an endoscopic endonasal approach.

Clinical experience and treatment approaches in sinonasal osteomas from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Turkey

OBJECTIVE

Osteomas are slow-growing benign osseous tumors that particularly located in the paranasal sinuses (PS). Here, we aimed to define the clinical symptoms and features, diagnostic conditions caused by osteomas located in four different PSs, to evaluate the surgical indications and methods, to compare the factors that can affect the surgical decision, radiological findings, and prognosis.

METHODS

The data of patients with paranasal sinus lesions and diagnosed as osteoma according to the radiological imaging, who applied to our clinic between 2010 and 2020, were retrospectively collected and re-evaluated in the light of clinical, radiological, and pathological data. Patients who underwent surgical treatments and were definitively diagnosed as osteoma by pathology were enrolled in this study.

RESULTS

We presented the data of 117 patients retrospectively. Most of these cases (n = 77, 65.8%) had an osteoma located in the frontal sinus, while 32 cases (27.4%) had osteoma in the ethmoid, two cases (1.7%) had in sphenoid and six cases (5.1%) had in maxillary sinus. We found that the presence of symptoms, diameter of osteoma, surgical indications including state of sinus drainage, and chronic/recurrent sinusitis influence the choices of physicians in management of frontal sinus osteomas. Moreover, we found a significant correlation between the grading systems defined to classify the frontal sinus osteoma to be operated (r = 0.878, 95% CI: 0.724-0.949, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

There are several grading systems useful for the choice of surgical approaches, however, the clinical symptoms and surgical indications should not be neglected in the follow-up of patients with frontal sinus osteoma. If there are concerns about the grade of osteoma and the endoscopic approach is considered not to be sufficient for resection, the surgical procedure may be initiated endoscopically, and, if necessary, it can be combined with an external approach.

Orbital Osteomas: Report of 3 Rapidly Progressive Cases in Adolescents and Systematic Literature Review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of orbital osteomas in the pediatric age group, and compare these to osteomas managed in the adult population.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 3 cases of rapidly progressive orbital osteomas in young patients was performed. In addition, a systematic review of the literature following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted to describe the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of orbital osteomas in the pediatric age group. The PubMed/MEDLINE database was searched in December 2019 for studies reporting data on patients with orbital osteomas.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients were included in this pediatric review, 39 male patients (68%), 18 female patients (32%), and 2 cases with unreported genders. Average age was 15.9 years with a range of 4-21 years. Average osteoma size measured 30.7 mm with a range of 9-60 mm. Adult osteoma size for comparison was smaller than 10 mm in majority of cases. The most common location of pediatric osteomas was the ethmoid sinus. The frontal sinus was the most common location in adult patients. Ninety-seven percent of reported pediatric cases required surgical intervention, compared with only 6.5% in adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Orbital osteomas in younger patients are larger when identified, grow faster, are more likely to be symptomatic, and more likely to require surgical intervention compared with those identified in older patients. We recommend close monitoring of osteomas identified in young patients as well as counseling regarding the potential need for future resection.

Maxillofacial Manifestation of a Giant Dimension Cranial Osteoma

Osteoma is the most frequent benign tumor in the craniomaxillofacial region. The most common initial manifestation is facial pressure or headache.The clinical examination showed increased volume in the right supraorbital region, asymmetry of the orbital contour, exophthalmia, dystopia, proptosis and clinical restraint of ocular movement for supraversion. The lesion measured approximately 4 cm in diameter with irregular contour. Osteotomy was performed with saw surrounding the tumor, with aid of a surgical piezo on the orbital medial wall.The result of histopathological examination was osteoma. The patient is 2.5 years postoperatively and so far without complications.

Osteoma involving the olfactory groove: evaluation of the risk of a CSF leak during endoscopic surgery

Purpose

The olfactory groove (OG) is a common site of iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak during endoscopic sinus surgery. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of CSF leak during endoscopic removal of osteomas involving the OG and identify CT findings indicating increased risk of this complication.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of patients operated on for frontoethmoidal osteoma from 11 years in a single institution. A retrospective review of the literature, 1999 to 2019, of perioperative complications in patients operated on for frontoethmoidal osteoma using endoscopic or combined approaches.

Results

Case series: 73 patients were identified including 17 with the OG involvement. The only case of CSF leak occurred in a patient with spongious part of osteoma at the OG. Among six osteomas with spongious component at the OG, one was detached and five had to be drilled down, leaving a small remnant in four. In contrast, all the 11 osteomas with ivory part at the OG were safely detached and completely removed from the OG after debulking. The prevalence of CSF leak was not statistically different between the patients without and with involvement of the OG. Systematic review of the literature: Among the 273 identified patients there were 8 cases of intraoperative CSF leaks (3%) including 2 from the OG (0.7%).

Conclusion

Involvement of the OG does not significantly increase the risk of intraoperative CSF leak. However, this risk may be increased in patients with the spongious part of the tumor attached to the OG.