A frontal swelling with a cautionary tale

Précis

A frontal swelling with a cautionary tale – a case report highlighting the importance of a careful working diagnosis and management of patients presenting with neurological symptoms with an associated frontal swelling.

Abstract

Frontal sinus mucoceles are the most common paranasal mucoceles. They consist of sterile mucus and shed cells and form due to inflammatory changes or chronic nasofrontal duct obstruction. Coincident infection and expansile growth can lead to specific clinical features dependent upon the location of the lesion and the degree of spread. We present a case of a 56-year-old lady with a radiological diagnosis of a frontal sinus mucocele causing anterior dehiscence of her frontal cortex. She underwent incision and drainage of a frontal swelling misdiagnosed as an infected sebaceous cyst. The case emphasises the importance of correlating features in the patient history and previous investigations with presenting findings.

Michelle Connolly
BDS (NUI) MJDF (RCS Eng)

Ibraz Siddique
MRCS MBBS MFDSRCS BDS PGC (Health Research)

Muzzammil Nusrath
MBChB ECFMG CERT BDS MDS(Hons) FDSRCS (Eng) FDSRCPS(Glasg) FRCS (Glasg-MAX FAX)
University Hospitals of Nottingham, UK

Corresponding author:Muzzammil Nusrath, Oral & Maxillofacial Consultant/Head and Neck Oncology-Reconstructive Surgeon, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department, NUH Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen’s Medical Centre, Derby Road, Nottingham, United Kingdom NG7 2UH
T: 0115-9249924 – main switch
E: manusrath@yahoo.com