Functional endoscopic sinus surgery for isolated sphenoid sinus disease

BACKGROUND: This article reviews 12 cases of isolated sphenoid sinus disease: chronic inflammatory sinusitis (7), mucoceles (2), aspergillus lesions (2), and isolated polyp (1). METHODS: Criteria for diagnosis were based on clinical symptoms, nasal endoscopic evaluation, and computed tomography (CT). Magnetic resonance imaging was used only in cases of bone erosion and when patients presented with vision problems. All patients were treated by functional endoscopic sphenoidotomy. Any postoperative complications were noted. CONCLUSION: The reported good results, on the basis of regression of functional symptoms and with nasal endoscopic and CT evaluation, suggest that intranasal sphenoidotomy under endoscopic control is a safe and effective method of treatment of nonmalignant isolated sphenoid disease. The mean follow-up is 26 months.