The difference in anatomical and invasive characteristics between primary and secondary paranasal sinus mucoceles.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the difference in anatomical and invasive characteristics of primary and secondary paranasal sinus mucoceles.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review at a tertiary academic center.


RESULTS
During a 10-year period, 57 and 109 patients with primary and secondary mucoceles were enrolled, respectively. Thirty-five (61.4%) of primary and 26 (23.9%) of secondary mucoceles had intraorbital extension (IOE), while seven (12.3%) of primary and two (1.8%) of secondary mucoceles had intracranial extension (ICE). In comparison of tendency for IOE or ICE between primary and secondary mucoceles in each sinus, only primary maxillary mucoceles were shown to have a significantly higher probability of IOE than secondary maxillary mucoceles. Among primary mucoceles, ethmoid mucoceles had a significantly greater capability to cause IOE while maxillary mucoceles had the least. Among secondary mucoceles, frontal and ethmoid mucoceles had a greater ability to cause IOE while maxillary mucoceles had the least. As for ICE, sphenoid mucoceles had a greater potential in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary mucoceles seem to have a greater potential to cause IOE and ICE than secondary mucoceles. In both groups, ethmoid mucoceles have a higher potential of IOE, while sphenoid mucoceles have a greater tendency to cause ICE.
Fu
Chia-Hsiang
CH
Department of Otolaryngology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chang
Kai-Ping
KP
Lee
Ta-Jen
TJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009078:Mucocele / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies