Comprehensive management of the paranasal sinuses in patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery.

Abstract

The endonasal route often provides the most direct and safe approach to skull base pathology. In this article we review the literature with regard to management of the paranasal sinuses in the setting of skull base surgery. We describe our institutional experience and review the literature of concurrent management of the sinusitis in patients undergoing endoscopic skull base surgery. Patients should be optimized preoperatively to ensure the endonasal route is a safe corridor to enter the intracranial cavity. Often the paranasal sinuses can be surgically addressed at the same time as endoscopic skull base surgery. We describe the technical details of management of the paranasal sinuses when addressing skull base pathology. Careful management of the paranasal sinuses throughout the peri-operative course is paramount to optimizing sinonasal function and safety.