THURSDAY, Oct. 20, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- Large sinus tumors can be removed through the nose using endoscopy rather than having to make large incisions in the face, says a Medical College of Georgia study.
Researchers used endoscopy to remove large inverted papillomas in 18 people, aged 36 to 74, and found this method worked well in these patients. Endoscopy was also useful in checking for the re-growth of the tumors, which have a high rate of recurrence. Of the 18 patients, 56 percent remained disease-free 29 months after the procedure.
The study appears in the September/October issue of the American Journal of Rhinology.
With the endoscopic approach, doctors use tiny scopes and cameras to enter the nose and remove the tumor with a device that pulverizes and suctions. At points where the tumor adheres to the sinus lining, the lining is removed and a diamond drill is used to eliminate tumor cells in the underlying bone.
Following the procedure, patients have to take antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and irrigate their sinuses for a few weeks.
"Operative risk and postoperative morbidity are significantly less than with open procedures. Recurrences are more frequent, but are detected early and are easily resected with minimally invasive techniques," the study authors wrote.
The recurrence rate among the endoscopy patients was 50 percent, compared with the usual recurrence rate of 44 percent among patients who have open procedures.
Open procedures involve large facial incisions and potential complications, including eye loss, cerebral spinal fluid leaks, and disfigurement.
More information
The U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders has more about papillomas.
