Clinical analysis of 59 cases of pediatric nasal dermal sinus cysts with midfacial infection as the first symptom

Abstract

Objective:To review the clinical and radiological presentation and management of infected nasal dermal sinus cysts（NDSC） in children. Methods:Clinical data were collected from 59 NDSC children with secondary fronto-orbital area infection who presented to Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2007 to December 2021. All patients underwent preoperative imaging workup, including MRI and CT. All patients underwent endoscopic excision of a NDSC under general anesthesia. Results:A total of 59 patients were included in the study,while 58 presented with a sinus, 1 presented with a cyst.The main lesions of NDSC included nasal root in 20 cases （33.9%）, nasal bridge in 34 cases （57.6%）, nasal tip in 4 cases （6.8%）, and nasal tip and nasal root in 1 case （1.7%）. The depth of lesions included 6 cases （10.2%） of superficial type of nasal frontal bone, 33 cases （55.9%） of nasal frontal bone, 19 cases （32.2%） of intracranial epidural type, and 1 case （1.7%） of intracranial epidural type. The main sites of infection included inner canthus in 15 cases （25.4%）, nasal dorsum in 22 cases （37.3%）, nasal root in 16 cases （27.1%）, and forehead in 6 cases （10.2%）. Among 59 cases, 7 cases （11.9%） were complicated with other diseases, and 4 cases（6.8%） had external nasal deformities. Surgical approaches included transverse incision in 12 cases（20.3%）, minimal midline vertical incision in 41 cases （69.5%）, external rhinoplasty in 4 cases （6.8%） and bicoronal incision with vertical incision in 2 cases （3.4%）. The range of lesions was completely consistent with MRI results.All cases were successfully operated without one-stage nasal dorsum reconstruction. All patients were followed up from 7 to 173 months（average 52.2 months）. There were 6 cases of recurrence, all of which were in situ recurrence. The operation was performed again, and no recurrence has occurred since the follow-up, No nasal deformity was noted, and cosmetic outcome were favorable for all patients. Conclusion:NDSC infection in children with midfacial infection as the first symptom is rare in clinical practice, and its manifestations are diverse. Early diagnosis and rational treatment are very important to improve the cure rate.Preoperative high resolution MRI combined with CT scanning is of great significance in judging the course of NDSC, especially the intracranial extension. The treatment goal is to achieve minimally invasive and individualized treatment under the premise of complete excision of the lesion, and take into account the cosmetic needs.