ABSTRACT
Ethmoid sinusitis is one of the most complicated pathologies in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) practice. Because of its anatomical particularities, ethmoid sinusitis can easily become a dangerous pathology, difficult to treat. The first method of treatment is usually proper medication, but sometimes it can be difficult to manage without surgery. Surgery may be performed, the most used being the intranasal (endoscopic) ethmoidectomy. Other types of surgical interventions are external ethmoidectomy and transantral ethmoidectomy. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages. The potential complications of endoscopic surgery are: orbital injury, blindness, orbital hematoma, epiphora, and postoperative epistaxis. Skull base injury and cerebrospinal fluid leak are very rare complications that should be discussed with patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery. Regardless of the approach used, the surgeon must be familiar with the anatomy and aware of all pertinent landmarks to reduce the risk of complications. Attention must be paid to avoid violating the cribriform plate or inadvertently entering the orbit.
Key-words: ethmoid sinusitis, ethmoidectomy, orbital injury, external ethmoidectomy.
Mihail TUSALIU
Institute of Phonoaudiology and Functional ENT Surgery „Prof. Dr. D. Hociotă“, 21
Mihail Cioranu street, 5th District, Bucharest, Romania
Phone: +40729828480, e-mail: mtusaliu@yahoo.com
