Treatment of frontal sinusitis and cyst using a T-shaped bile duct tube

Abstract

We placed T-shaped bile duct tubes (T-tubes) in the naso-frontal ducts of three patients with re-current frontal cysts or sinusitis resulting from drainage by the extranasal approach. The first pa-tient developed recurrent frontal sinusitis after anterior skull base resection for ethmoidal squamous cell carcinoma. The second patient had undergone 5 operations for a recurrent frontal cyst. The third patient experienced relapse of a frontal sinus cyst 40 years after initial surgery. A T-tube was placed for over a year in all three cases. The T-tube was effective in draining sinus discharge and demonstrated long-term stability without the need of fixation. We recommend the use of T-tubes for cases of frontal sinusitis, those with cysts in which there is difficulty controlling infection, or cases in which it is difficult to maintain the opening of the naso-frontal duct.