Transnasal endoscopic surgery for selected orbital cavernous hemangiomas: our preliminary experience.
BACKGROUND
Endoscopic transnasal approaches to the orbit have been recently described and they have been proposed as an option in the surgical management of medial and inferior orbital lesions.


METHODS
Retrospective evaluation of 3 patients operated on in our department during 2011 to remove a cavernous hemangioma of the inferior-medial orbit. Two patients were operated on via an endoscopic transnasal approach and 1 patient was operated on via an external anterior approach.


RESULTS
A complete surgical resection was obtained in all patients. A transient postoperative diplopia was recorded in the patient operated on via the external approach. No other significant complications were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
Extraconal lesions adjacent to the paranasal sinuses can be safely removed through an endoscopic transnasal route. Intraconal lesions located inferiorly and medially to the optic nerve are amenable of transnasal endoscopic resection in selected cases.
Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Neuroscience, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Luca
L
Muscatello
Veronica
V
Seccia
Michele
M
Caniglia
Stefano
S
Sellari-Franceschini
Riccardo
R
Lenzi
D000328:Adult; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000601:surgery*; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome