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IntroductionMalignant tumors of the paranasal sinuses are traditionally managed through external approaches. Advances in endoscopic transnasal surgery have allowed for the endoscopic treatment of some of these tumors.AimTo present the results of treatment of a series of patients with paranasal sinus malignancies treated with an endoscopic approach at a single institution.Material and methodsThe data on tumor type, operative technique, perioperative complications and postoperative course were analyzed.ResultsEleven patients meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. The histopathology was as follows: malignant melanoma in 3 patients, squamous cell carcinoma in 2, adenocarcinoma in 2, poorly differentiated carcinoma in 1, hemangiopericytoma in 1, adenoid cystic carcinoma in 1 and fibrosarcoma in 1. There were no severe perioperative complications with the exception of 1 case of cerebrospinal fluid leak, which was successfully closed. The mean observation period was 13.5 months. One of the patients died of disease, another was lost to follow-up, and one was reoperated on due to recurrence. The remaining 8 patients are alive with no signs of recurrence.ConclusionsOur initial experience seems to confirm results obtained by other authors indicating that in selected cases endoscopic surgery of sinonasal malignancies is similarly effective as external approach surgery.

The European Anatomical Position Paper on the Anatomical Terminology of the Internal Nose and Paranasal Sinuses distinguishes anterior, posterior, medial and lateral frontoethmoidal cells. The lateral cells have not been characterized yet. Other classifications (Lee and Kuhn, International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification) neglect them. The aim of this study is to describe lateral frontoethmoidal cells in rhinosinusitis patients. Method: Analysis of medical records and computed tomography (CT) examinations using multiplanar reconstruction with adjustable planes. The lateral cell extending between the frontal beak and the skull base pushing the frontal sinus drainage pathway medially/anteromedially was identified in 6 patients. These cells could not be classified as anterior, posterior or medial according to existing classifications. Four patients were operated on previously due to sinonasal symptoms. The lateral frontoethmoidal cell is an underestimated anatomical variation that may contribute to the persistence of inflammatory disease and can be easily overlooked preoperatively.

Patients with divergent drainage of the posterior ethmoids (with posterior ethmoidal cell draining to the supreme meatus) may require more extensive surgery to avoid persistence or recurrence of inflammatory disease. SmeNT is more common than thought, but due to its posterior and superior location to SorNT, it is rarely seen intraoperatively. If SmeNT is present, SO is always located medial to its posteroinferior attachment. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 110-115).

Hidden unilateral aplasia of the frontal sinus is a relatively uncommon anatomical variation. Its presence should be considered during routine preoperative CT evaluation because it poses the risk of intraoperative complications.

Objectives Two major classifications of frontoethmoidal cells, Lee and Kuhn and the IFAC (International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification), distinguish anterior, posterior and medial cells. The European anatomical position paper includes also lateral cells. According to the IFAC, anterior cells push the frontal sinus drainage pathway (FSDP) medially, posteriorly or posteromedially. Posterior cells push the FSDP anteriorly. The only medial cell, pushing the FSDP laterally is the frontal septal cell, which is attached to or located in the interfrontal sinus septum. The aim of this study was to verify the IFAC and characterise cells, which are inconsistent with this classification. Design A radioanatomic analysis. Setting Tertiary university hospital. Participants One hundred and three Caucasian adult patients with no inflammatory changes in paranasal sinuses CT. Main outcomes measure Results of assessment of multiplanar reconstruction of thin slice CT. Results Two types of cells that cannot be classified using the IFAC were found: (a) Lateral cells extending between the skull base and the anterior buttress, pushing the FSDP anteromedially or medially, present in 34 (16.5%) of the sides, (b) Paramedian cells: medially based, not adjacent to the interfrontal septum, pushing the FSDP laterally and posteriorly, present in 33 (16%) of sides. Suprabulla cells and suprabulla frontal cells were found to push the FSDP in directions other than anterior 28% and 31% of the time respectively. Conclusions Neglecting lateral and paramedian cells may lead to inconsistent results between radioanatomical studies and impede communication between surgeons. They should be included in existing classifications of frontoethmoidal cells.

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.

Skull base asymmetry in the region of the frontal ostium is observed in a large percentage of the population and may be a potential source of complications during endoscopic sinus surgery.