Cranialization of the frontal sinus
Ameline, E.; Wagner, I.; Delbove, H.; Coquille, F.; Visot, A.; Chabolle, F.
Annales d'Oto-Laryngologie et de Chirurgie Cervico Faciale Bulletin de la Societe d'Oto-Laryngologie des Hopitaux de Paris 118(6): 352-358
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-438X PMID: 11908336 Document Number: 540431
In the surgery of frontal sinus exclusion, the place of cranialization is still controversial. Our aims were to describe the operative technique, report our results and discuss its indications. Nineteen patients were operated according to this technique between 1984 and 1997. Cranialization was performed in the first place for tumors, osteitis, traumatisms and benign tumors or mucoceles with a special location. In patients with chronic sinusitis or mucocele, it was performed in the second place when functional surgery was considered as failure and because sinus obliteration seemed to be inappropriate. There was no mortality nor anosmia linked to the procedure. Postoperative sequelae were related to the disease or to the surgical approach. After a median follow-up of 29 months, no disease recurrence was observed. Cranialization of frontal sinus gives good results in selected patients, with low morbidity. Even though its indications are infrequent, this technique has its place in the surgical exclusion of frontal sinus.