Paleopathological evidence of paranasal lesions: Two cases of frontal sinus osteomata from Imperial Rome.

The archaeological excavations carried out in 1999 in the Collatina necropolis of the Roman Imperial Age (1st-3rd centuries AD) (Rome, Italy) discovered the skeletal remains of two adult males with evidence of paranasal lesions. Both individuals showed postmortem damage in the frontal bone, through which it was possible to macroscopically detect an oblong new bone formation. In both specimens, radiological examination of the defects' morphology showed new pediculated-based bone formations. Radiology also confirmed the presence of benign osseous masses arising from the right frontal sinus and interpreted as osteomata. Their dimensions did not exceed 10 mm, so that mechanical complications and compression of the adjacent structures could be ruled out. The osteomata of paranasal sinuses are rarely reported in paleopathology, since they can be discovered only incidental to bone breakage or radiography. Hence, the evaluation of their occurrence in past populations represents an important challenge. The two cases presented here show direct and rare evidence of frontal sinus osteomata dating back to the Roman Imperial Age.

Pott's puffy tumor in children.

INTRODUCTION: Pott's puffy tumor is characterized by subperiosteal abscess associated with osteomyelitis of frontal bone. Reports are limited for this rare entity in the antibiotics era but increase during past decade. METHODS: We had clinical analysis of a series with six consecutive pediatric patients of Pott's puffy tumor during 20 years in a tertiary medical center via retrospective chart review. One case was described in detail. RESULTS: Male-to-female ratio was 5:1. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 13 years-3 months. The risk factors were acute sinusitis in two (33%), chronic sinusitis in two (33%), recent head trauma in two (33%), and acupuncture therapy on skull in one (17%). The commonest presenting symptoms were fever, headache, forehead tenderness, vomiting, and fatigue/malaise (100%). Pott's puffy tumor was diagnosed on average the seventh day after fever, and half had intracranial involvement at diagnosis. All had intracranial infections, and most of them had subdural empyema. The most often involved sinus was frontal sinus (100%). The frontal lobe was the most common site of intracranial infection (100%), two thirds of which are polymicrobial from two or more sites. The initial operation was performed on average on the 5.8th days after diagnosis. Half of the patients underwent reoperation. The mortality rate was 17% (one of six). CONCLUSION: The symptoms of Pott's puffy tumor are inconspicuous even though early intracranial involvement often occurred. The importance of early diagnosis and aggravated and prompt treatment with prolonged antibiotic therapy is emphasized for better outcome.

Sinonasal tumor in 3 dogs after successful topical treatment for frontal sinus aspergillosis.

Three dogs diagnosed with aspergillosis developed sinonasal tumors several months after successful treatment with topical clotrimazole solution. Chronic rhinosinusitis was also detected in all cases prior to diagnosis of sinonasal tumors. The inflammatory response to Aspergillus, clotrimazole treatment, and chronic inflammation after treatment are discussed as possible neoplastic promoting factors.

Seguimiento radiológico en paciente con fibroma condromixoide del seno frontal. Diagnóstico diferencial, alternativas terapéuticas y revisión de la literatura / Radiological follow-up of a patient with chondromyxoid fibroma of the frontal sinus. Differential diagnosis, therapeutic alternatives and a revision of theliterature

Introducción. El fibroma condromixoide es un tumor benigno de crecimiento lento y poco frecuente. Su incidencia en la región craneofacial es rara, especialmente en el seno frontal. Objetivos. Presentamos el seguimiento a largo plazo de un paciente intervenido en relación a un fibromacondromixoide del seno frontal. Se discuten los distintos diagnósticos diferenciales y las alternativas terapéuticas. Discusión. Desde el punto de vista de anatomía patológica es necesario hacer el diagnóstico diferencialcon condrosarcoma, mixosarcoma, mixoma y cordoma. Desde el punto de vista radiológico, el diagnóstico de fibroma condromixoide ha de ser considerado en toda lesión ósea aislada con expansión u osteolisis, márgenes lobulados y septos intralesionales. El tratamiento del fibromacondromixoide incluye principalmente curetaje o resección en bloque, mientras que la radioterapia aislada no se considera de primera elección.Conclusiones. La naturaleza benigna del fibroma condromixoide implica la importancia de evitar tratamientos radicales. El abordaje subcraneal se presenta como una alternativa válida para el tratamiento de lesiones localizadas en el seno frontal. Es fundamental un seguimiento clínico-radiológicoadecuado para identificar precozmente posibles recidivas

Introduction. Chondromyxoid fibroma is a slow growingand rare benign bone tumor. Its location in the craniofacial skeleton is not common, especially in the frontal sinus. Objectives. We present a long-term follow-up of a patient with a frontal chondromyxoidfibroma who was operated four years ago. We discussthe various differential diagnoses and possible treatments. Discussion. The differential diagnosis includes chondrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, myxoma and chordoma. From the radiological point of view, chondromyxoid fibroma must be always considered as a diagnosticpossibility when a solitary bone lesion appears with expansion or cortical osteolysis, lobulated margins and intralesional septi. Treatment includes curettage or monoblock resection with immediate bone graft reconstruction. Radiation therapy alone mustnot be considered as the first therapeutic possibility. Conclusions. the benign nature of the tumor does not justify radical, unnecessary treatment. The subcranial approach is appropriate for lesions located in the frontal sinus. A clinical and radiological follow-up isneeded to identify tumor relapse