Intraoperative endoscopic finding of the paranasal sinus mucoceles

Background Mucocele of the nose and paranasal sinuses are a slowly benign expansion that may cause compression of the surrounding important structures such as the orbit or the brain in 44.9% of cases. Mucopyocele is a rare presentation (especially maxillary mucopyocele) resulting from a secondary bacterial infection. CT scan of the paranasal sinus is efficient in identifying and localizing the affected sinus and its bony extension also helps to plan the endonasal endoscopic surgery. Material and methods This is a retrospective study, we have documented 9 cases with a history of mucocele, or mucopyocele. 2 cases are excluded. One of them is due to a combined pathology of sinonasal polyposis, and the second case is due to associated Fungal rhinosinusitis. Results In this case series, 5 males (72%) and 2 females (28%) are included with a male/female ratio of 2.5/1. Age ranges are 12 and 46 years with a mean age of 32.4 years. Four cases (57%) are left-sided presentations with three cases (43%) on the right side. Four cases (57%) with eye presentation as epiphora in a maxillary mucopyocele, proptosis in two cases with frontoethmoidal, and ethmoidal affection, and blurring of vision in a sphenoidal mucocele. Intraoperative endoscopic findings show two cases (28%) with a mucopyocele in the maxillary, and ethmoidal sinuses, and five cases (72) present with a mucocele in the rest of the sinuses. Conclusion Mucocele/mucopyocele represents a variable rhinology presentation. A good orientation of the disease with a CT scan of the sinuses by a well-trained sinonasal endoscopist can improve the prognosis and decrease the recurrence rate.