Endoscopic Surgery for Frontal and Ethmoid Sinus Mucoceles

Seven patients with frontal and ethmoid mucoceles treated by endoscopic sinus surgery were reviewed. Five cases were successfully managed, with two requiring a trephine procedure in combination with the intranasal endoscopic approach. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 33 months with a mean of 17.8 months. The use of endoscopic instruments through a trephine incision is recommended in difficult cases to assure patency of the frontal sinus recess. When a large frontal sinus mucocele extends into the anterior ethmoid, the endoscopic approach becomes ideal. Sinus mucoceles can be handled safely and successfully by endoscopic surgery and may eliminate the need for more traditional external procedures.