Craniofacial surgical strategies for the correction of pneumosinus dilatans frontalis

Abstract

Introduction: Pneumosinus dilatans is a rare condition and different techniques have been proposed for its management and correction. The abnormally expanded, aerated frontal sinus has been described in the literature as: frontal sinus hypertrophy, pneumosinus dilatans, pneumosinus frontalis, aerocele, pneumocele, sinus ectasia, hyperpneumatization and others. The precise aetiology and pathogenesis of the condition is unknown, although several basic hypotheses have been proposed

Material and methods: The authors report two cases of frontal bossing and supraorbital ridge deformity correction using craniofacial surgical principles.

Discussion: Functional and morphological results are discussed and compared with other open procedures.

Conclusion: A variety of surgical procedures have been proposed for the correction of the pneumosinus dilatans frontalis. The craniofacial approach is advocated to reproduce the normal anatomy of the forehead in the upper part, the supraorbital rim and glabellar area.