The incidence of radiologic evidence of sinusitis following endoscopic pituitary surgery: A multi-center study Journal Article


Authors: Yaniv, D.; Flukes, S.; Livneh, N.; Vainer, I.; Soudry, E.; Amitai, N.; Spielman, D.; Cohen, M. A.; Mizrachi, A.
Article Title: The incidence of radiologic evidence of sinusitis following endoscopic pituitary surgery: A multi-center study
Abstract: Background: Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery has become a viable alternative to open procedures for the surgical treatment of benign and malignant lesions in the sinonasal and skull base regions. As in sinus surgery, skull base surgery may cause crusting and posterior rhinorrhea, particularly when a nasoseptal flap is required for skull base reconstruction. Post-operative radiological sinonasal findings have been reported previously with no clear correlation with intraoperative decision-making. As in open surgery, endoscopic surgery is not standardized and there is variability in the intervention to assist with exposure and skull base repair. These modifications, including middle turbinate resection, nasoseptal flap, fat graft, and maxillary antrostomy have the potential for nasal morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether specific interventions during surgery or specific patient and tumor characteristics harbor a more significant risk of causing nasal morbidity post-operatively, as demonstrated by post-operative imaging. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery for pituitary lesions at two major referral centers was performed. Data on demographic, clinical, and pathological features were collected, and pre- and post-operative imaging studies (computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) were reviewed and scored according to the Lund–Mackay (LM) scoring system. Results: The study included 183 patients. Radiographic evidence of sinusitis was observed in 30 patients (LM score > 4) in post-operative imaging studies. Patients who underwent middle turbinectomy or nasoseptal flap were found to have significantly higher LM scores on follow-up imaging. A nasoseptal flap was found to be associated with an average increase in LM score of 1.67 points and middle turbinectomy with an average increase of 2.21 points. There was no correlation between tumor size and findings that were compatible with sinusitis on post-operative imaging. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery is associated with radiological evidence of sinusitis. Nasoseptal flap reconstruction and middle turbinectomy were strongly associated with radiographic sinusitis and should be judiciously performed during surgery. A clinical correlation is needed for further recommendations. © 2024 by the authors.
Keywords: adult; clinical article; controlled study; middle aged; surgical technique; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; follow up; computer assisted tomography; tumor volume; incidence; morbidity; retrospective study; postoperative complication; postoperative complications; surgical risk; scoring system; postoperative hemorrhage; liquorrhea; meningitis; visual impairment; patient referral; skull surgery; tissue flap; hypophysis tumor; cranial nerve injury; sinusitis; endoscopic sinus surgery; anterior skull base; postoperative inflammation; ethmoidectomy; human; male; female; article; pituitary surgery; nasoseptal flap; middle turbinate; endoscopic pituitary surgery; lund mackay score; maxillary antrostomy; septoplasty; sphenoidotomy; turbinectomy
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Medicine
Volume: 13
Issue: 17
ISSN: 2077-0383
Publisher: MDPI  
Date Published: 2024-09-01
Start Page: 5143
Language: English
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13175143
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC11396227
PUBMED: 39274356
DOI/URL:
Notes: Source: Scopus
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. Marc A Cohen
    139 Cohen
  2. Stephanie Flukes
    10 Flukes