Nasofrontal Duct Research Articles

Frontal Sinus Fractures: An Evaluation of Patient Demographics, Mechanisms of Injury, Classification, and Management Strategies in Patients Referred to a Trauma Center, From 2014 to 2019.

This retrospective study aimed to present demographic data, mechanisms of injury, anatomical locations, and management strategies in patients with frontal sinus fractures. The study included 91 patients with frontal sinus fractures attending the Rajaee Hospital of Shiraz between 2014 and 2019. The data recorded for each patient included age, sex, injury mechanism, fracture classification, associated craniofacial fractures, nasofrontal duct injury, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and treatment approach. The mean age of patients was 31.0±14.0 years, with male predominance (95.6%). Car crashes represented the most frequent mechanism of frontal sinus fracture, involving 31 subjects (34%). Isolated anterior and posterior table fractures were seen in 32 (35.2%) and 5 (5.5%) patients. Fifty-four patients (59.3%) presented both tables' involvement. Frontal sinus injuries occurred frequently (74.7%) with other facial fractures. Nasofrontal duct injury was found in 7 patients (7.7%), and 13 (14.3%) exhibited cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Fifty patients (55%) were treated with observation alone; 16 (17.5%) underwent sinus preservation, 12 (13.2%) experienced sinus obliteration, and 13 (14.3%) endured cranialization. Fisher's exact test revealed no significant association between the classification of fracture and the mechanism of injury (P=0.591). However, a significant association was observed between the fracture classification and the treatment applied (P=0.023). Frontal sinus fractures were most often caused by car crashes in young adults. Combined anterior and posterior table fractures were more commonly found than isolated anterior or posterior table involvement. Most frontal sinus fractures were treated conservatively without DDS surgical operation.

Frontal Sinus Mucosa Bacteriological Features: Evaluation after Unintentional Opening in Neurosurgery.

Objectives The bacteriological features of the frontal sinus mucosa may impose significant complications in neurosurgery, when breached unintentionally. This study aimed to investigate the bacterial flora in patients undergoing frontal craniotomy for cerebrovascular substrate surgery. Design This is a single-center prospective study. Setting When mucosal laceration occurred, the patients underwent frontal sinus reconstruction with mucosa reconstruction, preserving the nasofrontal duct. Participants We enrolled eight consecutive patients who underwent bifrontal craniotomy associated with frontal sinus mucosa laceration. Main Outcome Measures A portion of the mucosa was extracted during the reconstructive procedure and was sent for microbiological analysis. Results None of the patients presented with the bacterial flora in the mucosal cultures. No patient experienced postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage or meningitis. One patient with a clinical history of chronic maxillary sinusitis presented with a subcutaneous abscess around the forehead at 9 months postoperatively. The patient rapidly recovered after receiving oral administration of antibiotics. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated that the frontal sinuses were maintained in an aseptic environment in all cases. The results may encourage the development and wider use of transfrontal sinus approaches.

Own Method of Forehead Skin-Sinus Fistula Treatment with Enabling and Maintaining Physiological Drainage in Overgrowing Inflammation of the Sinuses-A Case Report

Surgical treatment of craniofacial region diseases associated with soft tissue and bone loss is always a challenge for medical specialists. The paper reports a case of a 70-year-old patient who presented with a defect in the forehead area that had been dermatologically treated. Following clinical, laboratory and imaging diagnostics, the lesion was classified as skin sinus fistula. The case study analyzes overgrowth of the nasofrontal duct associated with the laryngological endoscopic procedure (restoring the patency of the frontal sinus was performed as the initial part of the treatment.) Maxillofacial surgeons made an attempt to create an acrylic “space maintainer” which can be used either temporarily or as the ultimate option. The manuscript also describes a method of multi-specialized surgical treatment and subsequent esthetic management with the use of an individualized epithesis for soft tissue replacement.

Frontal Bone Fracture – Challenges and Solutions

Abstract Fractures of the frontal bone are relatively infrequent maxillofacial injuries. Various classifications and treatment modalities ranging from simple conservative observation to complex surgical intervention are available in the literature. Treatment of frontal bone fractures hinges on numerous aspects such as involvement of frontal sinus, presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, degree of displacement of anterior and posterior table fracture, and presence of nasofrontal duct obstruction. Various complications may arise if there is a delay in treatment or improper treatment is given. The present article aims to describe the management of severely comminuted frontal bone fractures and other complications and challenges related to the same.

Reduction of comminuted fractures of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus using threaded Kirschner wires and a small eyebrow incision.

Frontal sinus fractures are relatively rare. Their surgical management significantly differs depending on whether the posterior wall is invaded and the clinical features vary. A bicoronal incision or endoscopic approach can be used. However, the minimally invasive approach has been attracting attention, leading us to introduce a simple and effective surgical method using multiple-threaded Kirschner wires. All patients had isolated anterior wall fractures without nasofrontal duct impairment. The depth from the skin to the posterior wall was measured using computed tomography to prevent injury. The edge of the bone segment on the skin was marked, a threaded Kirschner wire was inserted into the center of the bone segment, and multiple Kirschner wires were gently reduced simultaneously. Surgery was performed on 11 patients. Among them, seven patients required additional support for appropriate fracture reduction. Therefore, a periosteal elevator was used as an adjunct through a small sub-brow incision because the reduction was incomplete with the Kirschner wire alone. The reduction results were confirmed using facial bone computed tomography 1 to 3 days postoperatively. The follow-up period was 3 to 12 months. The patients had no complications and were satisfied with the surgical results. Here we demonstrated an easy and successful procedure to reduce a pure anterior wall frontal sinus fracture via non-invasive threaded Kirschner wire reduction.

Management of Frontal Bone Fracture in a Tertiary Neurosurgical Care Center-A Retrospective Study.

Objective We present our experience in the management of frontal bone fractures using the previously described radiologic classification of frontal bone fractures. Methodology A retrospective study was conducted, which reviewed the medical records and computed tomographic (CT) scan images of patients with frontal bone fracture from January 2016 to February 2019. Patients with complete medical records and a follow-up of minimum 1 year were included in the study. Demographic details, mechanism of injury, associated intracranial injuries, maxillofacial fractures, management, and complications were analyzed. CT scan images were used to classify the frontal bone fractures using the novel classification given by Garg et al (2014). The indications for surgical treatment were inner table frontal sinus fracture with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, intracranial hematoma with significant mass effect requiring surgical evacuation, and outer table comminuted fracture that is either causing nasofrontal duct obstruction or for cosmetic purpose. Results A total of 55 patients were included in the study. Road traffic accidents as the commonest cause of frontal bone fractures. The most common fracture pattern was type 1 followed by type 5 and depth B followed by depth A. Four patients presented with CSF rhinorrhea. CSF rhinorrhea was more frequent with fracture extension to the skull base (depth B, C, D), which was statistically significant ( p < 0.001). Conclusion Frontal bone fracture management has to be tailor-made for each patient based on the extent of the fracture, presence of CSF leak, and associated intracranial and maxillofacial injuries.

Endonasal Free Flap Reconstruction Combined With Draf Frontal Sinusotomy for Complex Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak: A Technical Report &amp; Case Series

Frontal sinus cranialization with closure via bifrontal pericranial flaps is the gold standard for separating the nasofrontal recess from the intracranial cavity for posterior table defects. Despite the high success rate, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak may persist and is particularly challenging when vascularized reconstructive options from the bicoronal incision are exhausted. To assess a novel endonasal technique using an adipofascial radial forearm free flap delivered to the frontal recess through a Draf sinusotomy to repair complex CSF leaks from the frontal sinus. A retrospective review of 3 patients (all male; ages 42, 43, and 69 yr) with persistent CSF leak despite frontal sinus cranialization and repair with bifrontal pericranium was performed. Etiology of injury was traumatic in 2 patients and iatrogenic in 1 patient after anaplastic meningioma treatment. To create space for the flap and repair the nasofrontal ducts, endoscopic Draf III (Case 1, 3) or Draf IIb left frontal sinusotomy (Case 2) was performed. The forearm flap was harvested, passed through a Caldwell-Luc exposure, and placed within the Draf frontal sinustomy. The flap vessels were tunneled to the left neck and anastomosed to the facial vessels by the mandibular notch. Intraoperatively, the flaps were well-seated and provided a watertight seal. Postoperative hospital courses were uncomplicated. There were no new CSF leaks or flap necrosis at 12, 14, and 16 mo. Endoscopic endonasal free flap reconstruction through a Draf procedure is a novel viable option for persistent CSF leak after failed frontal sinus cranialization.

Choice of Material for Nasofrontal Duct Obliteration in Frontal Sinus Fracture

Introduction: Within the surgical management algorithm for frontal sinus fracture (FSF), the choice of material for nasofrontal duct (NFD) obliteration is controversial, and a multitude of materials have been described in the literature. The present study aims to perform a systematic review to determine postoperative outcomes associated with various NFD obliteration materials. Methods: Two independent reviewers identified studies to be included based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Odds ratios and Fisher’s Exact Tests were then used to compare outcomes between cohorts based on the material used for NFD obliteration. Complications under review included donor site complications, reoperations, frontal sinus infections, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, cosmetic defects, persistent pain and/or headaches, and mucocele formation. Results: Twenty-nine studies met inclusion criteria. The use of a vascularized flap was associated with a reduced risk of reoperation and postoperative frontal sinus infection compared with non-flap materials (OR = 0.23 (CI: 0.05, 1.04), P = .05. The use of avascular bone graft was associated with an increased risk of reoperation (OR = 8.89 (CI: 2.24, 29.94), P &lt; .001. Use of bone graft was associated with increased postoperative frontal sinus infection compared with non-bone materials (OR = 3.92 (CI: 1.28, 11.96)), P = .017 and postoperative mucocele formation, P = .0035. The use of bone graft was associated with increased risk of total postoperative complications (OR = 2.68 (CI: 1.41, 5.11), P &lt; .01. Use of autologous materials was associated with decreased number of total complications when compared with non-autologous materials (OR = 0.13 (CI: 0.02, 0.99), P = .02. Conclusions: Avascular grafts, such as bone grafts, for NFD obliteration may be associated with an increased risk of reoperation. In particular, bone grafts are associated with higher rates of reoperation, postoperative infection and mucocele formation. Vascularized flaps appear to offer excellent postoperative outcomes with minimal operative morbidity. This systematic review may be useful in further refining the roles of certain materials in NFD obliteration for FSF surgery.

Obliteration and Contouring of Comminuted Anterior Wall Frontal Sinus Fracture Using Pericranial Flaps.

Summary:One of the common postoperative complications of comminuted fractures of frontal sinus are contour deformity, hardware extrusion, adherence and/or palpability, and skin thinning. We are presenting our novel technique with pericranial flaps to decrease these complications. The study was performed from January 2019 to January 2020, on 40 cases of comminuted fractures of anterior wall of frontal sinus, 28 men and 12 women, with an average age of 41 years. Injury resulted from motor vehicle crashes (n = 25), motorcycle crashes (n = 11), and falling from heights (n = 4). Our novel technique involves the use of two anteriorly based pericranial flaps; one flap is used for obliteration of the frontal sinus and the other is used to overlay the hardware used to restore forehead contouring and to eliminate the possibility of early extrusion or late plates or mesh palpability. Two patients had postoperative minimal disruption of forehead lacerations healed with secondary intention and minimal scarring. Excellent patient compliance without any complaint of mesh palpability. No adherence occurred and no skin thinning. This technique (two anteriorly based pericranial flaps) may be more reliable to obliterate the frontal sinus also overlaying the hardware used to improve forehead contour and decrease the incidence of mesh palpability and skin adherence than using hardware without flap coverage.

Extended endoscopic frontal nasal sinus surgery in management of chronic and recurrent frontal sinus diseases

BackgroundThe anatomical variation of the frontal sinus and its intimate relation to the skull base and orbit makes its surgery demanding. The extended endoscopic frontal sinus surgery allows wide better drainage and preventing the recurrence of the disease. Fourteen patients underwent EEFSS from May 2017 to May 2019. These patients are nine patients presented by chronic recurrent frontal sinusitis, three patients presented by chronic recurrent fronto ethmoidal mucocele and two patients with chronic recurrent external frontal fistula. Draff III done for ten patients of them and Draff IIB done for four patients of them. This study is designed for evaluating the efficacy of the extended endoscopic frontal sinus surgery (E E F S S) in management of chronic and recurrent frontal sinus diseases.ResultsThe neo opening of the restored frontal sinus was remained opened with Draff III with high success rate; two patients from four patients with Draff IIb were with closed nasofrontal duct. The main follow-up was 12 months; the patients were followed up post-operatively for many office visits without any other manifestations.ConclusionThe chronic recurrent frontal sinus diseases can be treated successfully with extended endoscopic frontal sinus surgery (E E F S S). The extended endoscopic frontal sinus surgery (Draff III) provides good results with low morbidity and less post-operative care.

Frontal Sinus Fractures: A Review on Etiology and Management Emphasizing Minimally Invasive and Endoscopic Techniques.

In spite of a long and tortuous history of the acute management of frontal sinus fractures, current optimal management remains steeped in controversy. These fractures are frequently produced by excessive forces and are often accompanied with other injuries. However, disruption of the nasofrontal duct persists as essential to maintain proper sinus function and should guide current management. Although there has never been any distinct procedure defining optimal outcomes, proper treatment is contingent on precise diagnosis culled from a complete history, physical examination, and imaging studies. This is further augmented by the surgeon's intraoperative findings. Reconstruction will ultimately rest on the degree of disruption of the anterior and posterior sinus walls, as well as the status and function of the nasofrontal ducts. For these reasons, current management continues to be challenging and evolving. Thus, this review will discuss the etiology and clinical presentation of frontal sinus fractures, the current complications arising in the subject, and the evolution of treatment options towards a more conservative and endoscopic approach to care.

Management of nasofrontal duct obliteration using the combination of autogenous bone graft chips and pericranium flap

Management of nasofrontal duct obliteration using the combination of autogenous bone graft chips and pericranium flap

Minimally Invasive Technique to Reduce the Isolated Anterior Wall Fracture of the Frontal Sinus.

Conventional open reduction and internal fixation of frontal sinus anterior wall fractures are associated with risks of visible scarring and limited access to the nasofrontal duct. The goal of this study was to report the minimally invasive surgical techniques and their results in cases with frontal sinus anterior wall fractures. A retrospective study was performed on 20 consecutive cases of isolated anterior wall fractures of the frontal sinus between July, 2008 and February, 2017. Causes of injury, interval between the injury and operation, and operation time were reviewed. The fractures were reduced using the minimally invasive techniques of endoscopic endonasal reduction or reduction through a small trephination. Anatomical and aesthetic outcomes were evaluated, and postoperative complications were reviewed. The fractures were reduced with endoscopic endonasal techniques in 11 patients and through a small trephination with a minimal incision in the forehead in 9 patients. The fractures were successfully reduced in all cases. The mean follow-up period was 21.2 months, and no postoperative complications were observed. For isolated anterior wall fractures of the frontal sinus, minimally invasive techniques, such as endonasal endoscopic reduction or reduction through a small trephination, are safe and effective options.

Transglabellar approach for surgical management of unruptured anterior cerebral artery aneurysms: A set of 8 patients

ObjectivesUnruptured anterior cerebral artery aneurysms (ACAA) management is not standardized, since the decision to intervene can lead to unnecessary surgical aftermaths. One of the key issues could be to decrease the surgical consequences. We describe herein an original minimally invasive transglabellar approach in the management of ACAA. Patients and MethodsWe report our experience with the transglabellar approach which is used for two years in our centre. With an inter-eyebrow skin incision, a trans sinusal approach gives direct access to the anterior midline skull base. Aneurysm clipping is carried out. The closure requires obstruction of nasofrontal ducts and sinus mucosa removal. ResultsWe operated 8 patients using this approach. The aneurysms were clipped successfully in every case.One case of cerebrospinal fluid leak and two cases of superficial infection were observed. All the patients were satisfied with the aesthetic results. ConclusionThe transglabellar approach is an effective, safe and minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of ACAA.

Frontal Sinus Fractures: Management and Complications.

Frontal sinus fractures are relatively rare maxillofacial injuries (only 5-15% of all facial fractures). The appropriate management of frontal sinus fracture and associated pathology is controversial. Diagnosis and treatment of frontal sinus fractures has improved with the advances of high-resolution computed tomography technology. Treatment of frontal sinus fractures depends on several factors, including contour deformity of anterior table; the presence of CSF leak or air-fluid level in the sinus, likelihood of nasofrontal duct obstruction, and degree of displacement of posterior table. Nasofrontal duct patency should be checked if fracture pattern is highly suspicious of ductal injury. Cranialization is performed in cases of severely comminuted posterior wall fracture. Long-term complication of frontal sinus fracture can occur up to 10 years after initial injury or intervention; so, judicious long-term follow-up is warranted. This article presents the management and complications of frontal sinus fractures.

Anterior skull base reconstruction after tumour resection using the posterior wall of the frontal sinus

IntroductionThe authors describe their experience of surgical closure of the anterior skull base after tumour resection, using the posterior wall of the frontal sinus. Material and methodThe authors describe their anterior skull base closure technique performed in three patients after tumour resection. Tumour resection via a transglabellar approach resulted in an anterior skull base defect. Reconstruction consisted of direct implantation of the posterior wall of the frontal sinus without using a bone substitute (except when nasofrontal duct obstruction is required). ResultsThree patients were operated by this surgical procedure with complete tumour resection in every case and no infectious complications. This technique was easy to perform, despite one case of persistent CSF leak. Follow-up imaging showed no displacement of the onlay bone graft. ConclusionAnterior skull base reconstruction after tumour resection using autologous frontal sinus bone graft is easy to perform with a low complication rate.

Appropriate Pathways and Surgical Approaches in the Fractures of the Frontal Sinus

Fractures of the frontal sinus are part of the fractures of the border between the facial and the cranial regions. They cause both aesthetic and vital problems, but also functional, requiring rapid and global care in a multidisciplinary setting. The document provides a descriptive and cross sectional study with prospective data collection, conducted in the department of Maxillofacial and Aesthetic Surgery of the Mohammed 6 Teaching Hospital of Marrakech, describe describe 18case operated for frontal sinus fractures over a 2-year period. The ideal time of repair was beyond the 72nd hour, at best between the 8th and 15th days after the reduction of cerebral and facial edema and the exclusion of any lesions that require emergency intervention. Our indications were mainly influenced by aesthetic deformities, impaction and embarrure fracture of ethmoidal and orbital roofs with clinical expression, obliteration of the naso-frontal duct, posterior wall displacement predicting dura mater laceration, and by the time to management. The coronal approach was the most indicated with 83, 33% of the cases. We realized sinus exclusion in 72.22%, cranialization in 22.77%, and repair of dura mater injuries in 27.77%. The sequelae found in 27.77%, were essentially functional and aesthetic.

Free Flap Operation to Treat Nasofrontal Duct Obliteration after Total Maxillectomy , A Case Report

Free Flap Operation to Treat Nasofrontal Duct Obliteration after Total Maxillectomy , A Case Report

Surgical approach of isolated fracture of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus: The upper eyelid incision

Fractures of the frontal sinus are classified according to the topography (anterior wall, posterior wall or both), the displacement, and the presence of associated lesions (wound, nasofrontal duct injury, rhinorrhea). Isolated fractures of the anterior wall require surgical management, if the displacement is over 4 mm, to restore the forehead symmetry, to maintain the sinus ventilation and to avoid long-term complications (sinusitis, mucocele, meningitis…). Coronal incision is commonly performed but less invasive techniques are more and more used. We describe a technique of reduction and fixation of isolated anterior wall fractures by upper eyelid incision, allowing a good exposure of the lower portion of the frontal sinus, with a limited scar.

External endoscopic multiportal frontal sinus obliteration for laterally pneumatized frontal sinus: a feasibility study

IntroductionOsteoplastic flap procedure is a standard method used for frontal sinus obliteration. Endoscopic external frontal sinus obliteration is a minimally invasive new technique confined to small-sized and medium-sized pneumatized frontal sinuses.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was assess the feasibility and surgical application of this technique for far-lateral pneumatized frontal sinuses.Materials and methodsTen sides of adult dry skull were assessed for frontal sinus pneumatization and supraorbital cells by computerized tomography. Three sides were selected with frontal sinus pneumatization extending beyond midorbital line. Feasibility of obliteration of frontal sinus was tested. Endoscopic external multiportal frontal sinus approach was done using angled endoscopy and standard instrumentation. Classic frontal sinus trephine port was performed initially to safely locate the frontal sinus. In-situ nondisplaced superiorly based miniosteoplastic flap reaching to midorbital plane was performed providing another port. Additional lateral trephine port beyond midorbital plane was performed. Angled endoscopy and standard instrumentation were used reciprocally through different ports to reach different areas of frontal sinus. Outcome parameters were ability to reach corners of frontal sinus, remove sinus septae and nasofrontal duct, and maintain integrity of anterior wall of frontal sinus. Surgical application was done in two cases of frontal sinus mucocele and meningoencephalocele.ResultsIn three laterally pneumatized frontal sinuses of dry skulls, corners, septae, and nasofrontal ducts could be handled using external multiportal endoscopic approach without disruption of anterior frontal wall. Three ports allowed two-hand surgical technique. Surgical application in two cases with follow-up over 6 months revealed no significant complication. Subcutaneous collection developed in one case after 2 weeks and resolved with medical treatment.ConclusionExternal endoscopic multiportal obliteration is feasible for frontal sinuses with lateral pneumatization beyond midorbital line. This technique is minimally invasive with less morbidity. Long-term follow-up in a larger series is needed.