MUCOCELES OF THE SPHENOID SINUS

Mucoceles of the sphenoid sinuses are uncommon; 60 cases have been reported in the world literature to date. Signs and symptoms are caused by local expansion of the mucocele and include headache (the most common symptom), ocular field deficits, external ophathalmoplegia (particularly the sixth cranial nerve), and proptosis. Radiologic correlation in the form of plain films and polytomomography is the most reliable guide in the diagnosis of sphenoid sinus disease. Therapy of these lesions is surgical, and drainage can be achieved via the external ethmoid or sublabial transseptal route.