Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2017 May;31(2):80-84.
doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1601371.

Frontal Sinus Fractures

Affiliations
Review

Frontal Sinus Fractures

Kelly Schultz et al. Semin Plast Surg. 2017 May.

Abstract

The frontal bone serves a protective role, representing the transition between the facial skeleton and the cranium. Within its enclosure, the frontal sinus lies adjacent to many important intracranial structures, and injury to this region has severe complications if not properly managed. Historically, the goals of frontal sinus fracture management have been to best prevent intracranial complications with invasive procedures, but a recent shift favoring conservative management now aims to preserve the form and function of the frontal sinus and its outflow tract. With the advancement of endoscopic techniques and the development of new technologies, many alternatives to aggressive surgical management are available.

Keywords: cranialization; endoscopic treatment; facial fracture; frontal sinus; nasofrontal tract.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Posterior table frontal sinus fracture.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Sagittal view of frontal sinus fracture.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Axial view of anterior table frontal sinus fracture.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Sagittal view of anterior table frontal sinus fracture.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Elevation of pericranial flap. Intraoperative photos (Fig. 5 courtesy of Salvatore C. Lettieri, MD, FACS. Division of Plastic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, and Plastic Surgery, Maricopa Integrated Health System, Phoenix, AZ.)
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Obliteration of frontal sinus and nasofrontal duct with bone graft after mucosal stripping. (Fig. 6 courtesy of Salvatore C. Lettieri, MD, FACS, Division of Plastic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, and Plastic Surgery, Maricopa Integrated Health System, Phoenix, AZ.)
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
In-setting of pericranial flap. (Fig. 7 courtesy of Salvatore C. Lettieri, MD, FACS. Division of Plastic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, and Plastic Surgery, Maricopa Integrated Health System, Phoenix, AZ.)
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Mucopyocele 10 years after initial injury and presenting with proptosis.

References

    1. Guy W M, Brissett A E. Contemporary management of traumatic fractures of the frontal sinus. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2013;46(5):733–748. - PubMed
    1. Rohrich R J, Hollier L H. Management of frontal sinus fractures. Changing concepts. Clin Plast Surg. 1992;19(1):219–232. - PubMed
    1. Vu A T, Patel P A, Chen W, Wilkening M W, Gordon C B. Pediatric frontal sinus fractures: outcomes and treatment algorithm. J Craniofac Surg. 2015;26(3):776–781. - PubMed
    1. Freeman J L, Winston K R. Breach of posterior wall of frontal sinus: management with preservation of the sinus. World Neurosurg. 2015;83(6):1080–1089. - PubMed
    1. Weathers W M, Wolfswinkel E M, Hatef D A, Lee E I, Brown R H, Hollier L H Jr. Frontal sinus fractures: a conservative shift. Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2013;6(3):155–160. - PMC - PubMed