Introduction: Fronto-ethmoidal osteomas are the most frequent paranasal sinus benign tumor and they may envolve with either infectious complications and destruction of adjacent structures. Though they are relatively frequent, few of them are cases requiring surgery. Aim: To report on a group of nine patients with frontal or ethmoidal osteoma, as well as to discuss the clinical presentation and the most suitable treatment of this disease. Study design: Clinical prospective. Material and Method: A prospective clinical study of nine patients who were submitted to surgery at the HSPE-FMO (State Public Servants Hospital) of São Paulo, and at the São Luiz Hospital of the city of São Paulo, in the period from 1995 to 1999. The surgical treatment was the therapeutic option selected in this group. The clinical evolution was assessed during the postoperative period. Results: Of the nine patients, five were females and four a male, ages ranging from 12 to 55 years, with an average age of 39,55 years. All the patients had a resolution of the symptoms and only one of them presented sequels (hyposmia). Conclusion: Based on both the literature review and on the cases followed, the authors concluded that the lesions compromising the drainage of the frontal sinus osteos, those with destruction of the sinus limits as well as any ethmoidal tumors should be surgically treated.
osteoma; paranasal sinuses; surgery
