Literature Review: A roundup of important recent studies

Synopsis: Osteoma was diagnosed in a 34-year-old man with a history of trauma to his right frontal region and a slow-growing mass over the right frontal sinus, associated with right-sided supraorbital pain. Using UBA, a direct suprabrow incision was made and the supraorbital neurovascular trunk was identified and preserved. Equipped with the Spetzler Claw tip, the UBA was used to remove the osteomas and contour the bone to match the contralateral side. At a four-week follow-up, the patient denied supraorbital hypesthesia, pain or discomfort and was pleased with his cosmetic outcome. The authors note that a disadvantage of using UBA may be the expense of acquiring the instrumentation.

Bottom line: UBA can be successfully employed to remove skull osteomas without injury to adjacent vital structures.

Reference: Ehieli E, Chu J, Gordin E, et al. Frontal sinus osteoma removal with the ultrasonic bone aspirator. Laryngoscope. 2012;122(4):736-737.

—Reviewed by Sue Pondrom