Sphenoid sinus revisited.

J.H. Maxwell, M.D., in 1959 presented a paper on, "The Diagnosis of Chronic Inflammatory Lesions of the Sphenoid Sinus." In that paper he reviewed chronic inflammatory lesions of the sphenoid sinus and demonstrated through means of case presentations various techniques required for proper diagnosis. During the past five years at the Geisinger Medical Center some interesting noninflammatory lesions of the sphenoid sinuses have been observed and will be reviewed. The symptoms of these sphenoid sinus lesions are usually related to abnormalities of the orbit and/or nasal passages. Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and meningitis may be present. Pain, when present, is generally not as severe as that described in inflammatory lesions, but is still localized in a similar manner. The diagnosis of sphenoid sinus disease may be suspected on the history and x-rays of the paranasal sinuses. Poytomography and computerized tomography scanning have aided markedly in the identification of the sphenoid lesions. Surgery in these cases included either a transnasal or sublabial transseptal approach to the sphenoid sinus and is recommended as a method to gain access to this rather obscure area.