A Case of Refractory Frontal Sinusitis with a Cutaneous Fistula

Abstract

The frontal sinus is prone to blockade because of the anatomical structure of its excretion path, the frontonasal duct, and it is often difficult to treat frontal sinusitis and frontal sinus cysts. When conservative management is ineffective, frontal sinus operations are performed via nasal endoscopes or an external approach, however, the incidence of postoperative recurrence is high. Obstruction of the front nasal duct causes stagnation of secretions in the frontal sinus, which may result in pressure necrosis of the sinus wall, and rarely, formation of a frontal sinus fistula on the forehead.
Herein, we report a patient with no history of operation or trauma who had refractory frontal sinusitis with a cutaneous fistula. The 60-year-old male had been diagnosed as having frontal sinusitis and undergone five operations over a period of eight years.