Inverted papilloma involving the frontal sinus: a management plan

Inverted papilloma is a benign but locally aggressive sino-nasal tumour. Although relatively uncommon, involvement of the frontal sinus by this tumour represents a significant surgical challenge. The objective of the study is to propose a scheme for management of inverted papilloma involving the frontal sinus, based upon the findings of the current study. All cases of inverted papilloma operated upon between July 1995 and June 2008 were retrospectively reviewed to identify cases in which the tumour involved the frontal sinus. Among 34 patients with inverted papilloma, 4 were found to have tumours involving the frontal sinus (11.76%). These patients were initially treated by endonasal endoscopic resection. At time of initial surgical excision, the tumour was found to involve the frontal sinus by expansion from the ethmoids in three of these patients. In the fourth patient, the tumour was found to be massively involving the frontal sinus mucosa. After a mean follow-up of 16.3 months, no recurrences were detected in the first three patients. In the patient with massive mucosal involvement, recurrence was detected 4 years after the initial endonasal endoscopic resection. Subsequently, an osteoplastic flap was performed to resect the tumour. Fifty months later the patient remained disease free. Surgeons managing patients with frontal sinus inverted papilloma should have a clear management scheme before embarking on surgery. The patient’s consent should be obtained pre-operatively for a possible osteoplastic flap. Tumours just expanding into the frontal sinus can be managed by either endoscopic or nonendoscopic approaches. On the other hand, in tumours significantly involving the frontal sinus mucosa, an osteoplastic flap is warranted to ensure complete tumour resection.