Large Frontal Sinus Mucopyocele

Abstract

ABSTRACT A mucocele is an epithelial-lined, mucus-containing sac completely filling the sinus and capable of expansion. This is in contradistinction to a blocked sinus cavity which simply contains mucus within the sinus. The frontal sinus is most commonly involved, whereas sphenoid, ethmoid, and maxillary mucoceles are rare. Frontal sinus is present just above the orbital cavity so any mass causing the expansion of floor of the frontal sinus leads to outwards (proptosis), downward and lateral displacement of orbit. If the cyst continues to expand within the orbital cavity, the mass may mimic an orbital growth or lesion pushing orbit laterally. A mucocele results from the obstruction of a sinus ostium, leading to the accumulation of secretions and the gradual, smooth expansion of the sinus. The mucocele contents often become increasingly desiccated and have an increasing protein content over time; therefore, they may show an increased density on CT scanning and variable degrees of hyperintensity on T1-weighted MRI sequences and hypointensity on T2-weighted MRI. Here we came across a patient who had right sided frontal mass causing proptosis and lateral displacement of right eye with vision limited only to perception of light. CT showed an expansile frontal mass with orbital displacement. We did external frontoethmoidectomy and a diagnosis of mucopyocele was made. The case, the experience and the outcome of external frontoethmiodectomy is being discussed. How to cite this article Shukla A, Dudeja V. Large Frontal Sinus Mucopyocele. Clin Rhinol An Int J 2013;6(3):131-135.