[Anterior craniofacial resection in the treatment of malignant nasal-paranasal sinus tumors with intracranial extension].

Nasal and paranasal sinus tumors extending through the cribriform plate to the overlying dura of the frontal lobe can be successfully treated by anterior craniofacial resection. During the period from 1986 to 1990, 14 patients (11 males, 3 females, age 18-67) with nasal/paranasal tumors extended to the nasal basis underwent craniofacial resection. From a histological point of view these patients were classified as follows: --8 adenocarcinomas --2 squamous cell carcinomas --2 esthesioneuroblastomas --1 cylindroma --1 haemangiopericytoma. In 6 of the 14 patients post-operative complications were encountered, 3 being resolved. Radical surgery was realised in 12 cases; post-operative radiotherapy was performed in 7. No contraindications were found because of previous chemo- and/or radiotherapy, even if it had been performed as treatment. Four of the patients died because of recurrences between the 6th and 20th month after surgery; 5 patients (all adenocarcinoma subjects) are disease-free respectively 8, 16, 17, 22 and 24 months after surgery.