Frontal Sinus Fractures: A Changing Paradigm

Abstract

Frontal sinus fractures comprise a minority of facial injuries experienced by patients following facial trauma, and there is no standardized consensus on management of these fractures. Historically, invasive surgical approaches including open reduction of anterior table fractures, and cranialization or obliteration of the frontal sinus were employed to correct contour deformities and to prevent long-term sequalae of altered frontal sinus drainage, respectively. More recently, conservative approaches including observation with imaging can be employed with similar complication rates. If surgery is needed, sinus preservation techniques can also be employed with similar efficacy depending on the pattern of injury.

Keywords: Facial fractures; Facial trauma; Frontal sinus fractures.