CASE REPORTS   

Italian Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery 2011 June;22(2):141-7

Copyright © 2012 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Large sinonasal osteoblastoma causing dacryocystitis removed through an intraoral access

Boffano P. ¹, Viterbo S. ¹, Arrondini M. ², Ramieri G. ¹

¹ Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head and Neck Department, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; ² Division of Pathology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

Chronic dacryocystitis in adults is commonly associated either with an inflammatory process of the paranasal sinuses or with an obstruction of the nasolacrimal system that can be related to nasal trauma, foreign body or tumours. Osteoblastoma is an uncommon slow growing primary bone tumor that seldom occurs in the facial bones. few cases of osteoblastoma involving the nasal cavity have been reported, and none associated with dacryocystitis. Different approaches have been proposed for removal of large sinonasal tumors and for treatment of lacrimal duct obstruction. We present and discuss the diagnosis and surgical management of a large naso-sinusal osteoblastoma presenting as a dacryocistitis, which was successfully removed through an intraoral route, avoiding skin access and determining a minimal morbidity.