Sphenoid sinus mucocele

A sphenoid sinus mucocele is a location-specific subtype of a paranasal sinus mucocele.

Epidemiology

Sphenoid sinus mucoceles are uncommon and only account for around 1-2 % of all paranasal sinus mucoceles .

Clinical presentation

Can be variable and range from deep-seated headaches to cranial nerve palsies.

Pathology

As with other mucoceles, they occur from accumulation and retention of mucoid secretions within the sinus and in turn can lead to thinning, distension and erosion of one or more of its bony walls.

They can occur in isolation or in combination with other paranasal sinus mucoceles.

Radiographic features

CT

Appears as opacification of the affected sphenoid sinus with bony expansion +/- erosion.

Complications

An expanding sphenoid sinus mucocele may compress adjacent structures such as

• the optic nerve
• the cavernous sinus which carries the III, IV and VI cranial nerves.

Treatment and prognosis

Surgical options include endoscopic transnasal sphenoidotomy with sufficient removal of the anterior and inferior walls of the sinus. This can facilitate adequate drainage. Marsupialisation via a transnasal transsphenoidal approach is another option.

Siehe auch:

• Mukozele der Nasennebenhöhlen
• maxillary sinus mucocoele
• spheno-ethmoidal mucocoele
• Aspergillom Sinus sphenoidalis

und weiter:

• spheno-ethmoidal mucocoele with intra-orbital expansion