OSTEOMAS OF PARANASAL SINUSES AND THE MASTOID PROCESS

Abstract

Osteomas that arise in the paranasal sinuses are not common. Occasionally they are discovered in routine roentgenologic examination of the sinuses. They are not diagnosed clinically or even suspected of being present until either evidence of intracranial complications becomes manifest or external deformities appear. From time to time, articles have appeared that contain reports of cases and give the number of cases previously reported. It is not the purpose of this paper to give a detailed review of the literature; rather, it is to stress methods of handling cases. In 1935 Dr. Carmody reviewed the cases reported up to that time. <h3>ETIOLOGY</h3> The etiology of these bony growths never has been determined. The ethmoid bone is developed from cartilage and the frontal bone is developed from membrane. Osteomas develop frequently at the site of the frontoethmoidal suture. Arnold¹advanced the hypothesis that cartilaginous rests were present and that these