Cholesterol granuloma of the frontal sinus

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology Vol. 116; no. 12; pp. 1041 - 1043
• Main Authors: Shykhon, M. E., Trotter, M. I., Morgan, D. W., Reuser, T. T. Q., Henderson, M. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.12.2002
• Subjects: (RF) Otorhinolaryngology; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cholesterol; Frontal Sinus; Frontal Sinus - pathology; Granuloma; Granuloma, Foreign-Body - pathology; Head and neck surgery. Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Paranasal Sinus Diseases - pathology; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the upper aerodigestive tract; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology; Frontal Sinus; Granuloma; Cholesterol; Human; Radiodiagnosis; Male; Case study; Pathology; Histopathology; Treatment; Exeresis; Cholesterol granuloma; Surgery; Frontal sinus; Medical imagery; ENT disease; Adult; Paranasal sinus disease; Computerized axial tomography; Diagnosis
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1258/002221502761698801

It is common to see cholesterol granuloma in the mastoid air cells, less common in the orbit, and uncommon in the paranasal sinuses. Cholesterol granuloma is thought to be due to an interruption to normal aeration with impaired lymphatic drainage, resulting in a closed cavity where it may form. These expanding cysts cause bone destruction and compression of the surrounding structures that lead to clinical symptoms. Diagnosis and management of cholesterol granuloma cysts can be challenging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomographic (CT) scans are usually diagnostic. We present a rare case of cholesterol granuloma in the frontal sinus, few cases have been reported in the literature.