Clinical aspects and surgical treatment

Abstract

The nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses may be involved by a large variety of benign and malignant tumors. Unilateral nasal obstruction is the most common symptom in patients with either benign or malignant tumors of the sinonasal tract associated with nasal discharge, epistaxis, facial pain, and headache. The management of benign sinonasal masses should follow a balanced algorithm to weigh the need for resection against the adverse effects of surgical removal. Malignancies are very rare tumors, with an incidence of about 1 case every 100,000. Several innovations in imaging, radiation therapy, and endoscopic skull base surgery have changed the approach taken in the treatment of paranasal sinus cancer over the past decade. Although the surgery techniques have changed over time in order to give a curative solution and reduce surgical morbidity and mortality, the prognosis for patients with this type of tumors remains poor. Herein we analyze the clinical and surgical aspects of tumor and tumorlike of the paranasal sinuses discussing the diagnostic and surgical management of these lesions.