Publication:

Isolated sphenoid inflammatory diseases

Background Isolated sphenoid inflammatory disease is a rare clinical condition among patients with paranasal sinus disease, reported incidence ranged between 1-3%. The most common symptoms of isolated sphenoid inflammatory lesions are headache, ophtalmological and nasal symptoms. Delayed diagnosis may occur due to its nonspecific symptoms. The disease requires appropriate and good imaging technique for diagnosis. The objective of the study was to discuss different pathologies of isolated sphenoid inflammatory lesions.

Methods From 2008 to 2017, we performed surgery on 27 patients with isolated sphenoid inflammatory diseases. The presenting signs and symptoms, radiological studies, operative findings, and clinical outcomes were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

Results 27 cases were identified at tertiary hospital of King Fahad Specialist Hospital Dammam. 12 bacterial sphenoid sinusitis, 4 allergic fungal sinusitis, 4 fungal balls, 2 invasive fungal sinusitis, 3 pediatric (2 sphenoid sinusitis and 1 allergic fungal sinusitis), 1 mucocele and 1 mycopyocele were noticed.

Conclusions Isolated sphenoid inflammatory disease is rare, with comprehensive history taking, complete physical examination, appropriate endoscopic examination and advanced imaging studies will give appropriate clinical diagnosis. Histopathologyand microbiology is important for definite diagnosis.