Endoscopic approach for a delayed post-traumatic ethmoidal mucocele: a technical note.

OBJECTIVE

Delayed post-traumatic mucoceles are rare. We describe the surgical treatment of a post-traumatic ethmoidal mucocele with intra-orbital extension.

METHOD

A uninostril endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) was performed. The access was contralateral to the lesion to provide a wider lateral view. After a large sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses opening, the collection was drained and the optic nerve precociously identified. The orbital roof was eroded and the frontal dura mater directly visible.

CONCLUSION

The uninostril contralateral approach allows a good exposure of the lateral fields and is conservative towards the nasal mucosa. A favorable skull base anatomy is the prerequisite for its efficacy.