Role of endoscopic surgery in the management of sinonasal and skull base schwannomas

Background. The purpose of this study was to report our experience with the endoscopic management of sinonasal schwannomas, analyzing the advantages, limitations, and outcomes of the technique. Methods. A retrospective analysis was carried out on 11 patients treated endoscopically between 2000 and 2014 at a single institution. Results. Eight patients underwent an exclusive endoscopic endonasal approach, whereas, in 3 patients, an osteoplastic flap was combined because of massive or lateral frontal sinus involvement. The tumor extended into the orbit in 5 cases, and involved the skull base in 5 patients who required a concomitant endoscopic duraplasty. No evidence of disease was observed in 10 patients after a mean follow-up of 90.1 months (range, 14-189 months). One patient was alive with persistence of disease, although asymptomatic. Conclusion. The endoscopic endonasal approach is a valid alternative for the vast majority of sinonasal schwannomas with minimal morbidity for the patient. (C) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.