[Congenital dermoid cysts and fistulae of the nose. Apropos of 19 cases]

Abstract

Nineteen patients with nasal dermal sinuses were operated over a period of twelve years. 12 patients presented with a fistula and 8 with a cyst. One of them presented with a double sinus ostia. In six patients, intracranial extension was confirmed through a surgical approach. Clinical examination and CT scans determined the choice of surgical approach. All sinuses were removed by two surgical procedures: direct incisions, either vertical midline or horizontal glabellar, and nasofrontal osteotomy via a coronal approach. The main theories of dermoid development are explained and embryogenesis is compared to the operative findings.