Sphenoid sinus mucocele: an unusual complication of head and neck irradiation in a North African woman

A Brunet-Garcia,Md Costa-Climent,,L Brunet-Garcia,M Faubel-Serra,M Pujol-Rodriguez

doi:10.4317/jced.55161

Abstract

Mucocele is a common benign lesion otherwise rarely located in the sphenoid sinus. Some complications after head and neck irradiation have been described in the literature until now. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a sphenoid sinus mucocele in a North African patient treated some years before with radiotherapy for a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We extend the literature review about this infrequent finding, of which head and neck surgeons should be aware. Key words:Mucocele, sphenoid sinus mucocele, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, radiotherapy, North African.

Highlights

Isolated sphenoid sinus mucocele is a rare entity
We report a case of a North African woman that developed sphenoid sinus mucocele 11 years after receiving radiotherapy for a nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Case Report A 49 year-old female patient originally from Maghreb was referred to our Department due to some abnormalities found on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) developed for temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Summary

Introduction

Isolated sphenoid sinus mucocele is a rare entity. Its incidence has been reported to be 1-3% of all mucoceles. Diagnosis of sphenoid sinus mucocele is often delayed due to its late symptoms that are not evident until it expands and compresses neighbouring structures. This location makes it impossible to direct examination [1]. We report a case of a North African woman that developed sphenoid sinus mucocele 11 years after receiving radiotherapy for a nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Case Report A 49 year-old female patient originally from Maghreb was referred to our Department due to some abnormalities found on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) developed for temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Contrast computed tomography scan (CT) showed a well-defined mass with low attenuation and unenhanced by contrast agents, located in the sphenoid bone (Fig. 1c,d).

Findings

Discussion

Conclusions