Can My Forehead Bump Be Removed By An Endoscopic Method?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I've seen your article ‘Case Study: Removal of Skull Lumps and Bumps (Osteomas) in Men’ from Friday, May 27th, 2011″ I've a similar osteoma in the front of the head over one of the sinuses. I'd like to know if it is possible that the endoscopic approach in my case could be used and if there are any contraindications?

A: I would need to see a picture of the location of the osteoma. While a frontal osteoma can be successfully removed by an endoscopic technique, the critical question is if it overlies the frontal sinus. (anterior table of the frontal sinus) This may mean it involves the entire sinus wall which could be very relevant which it comes to its removal. This is why in your case I would recommend a lateral skull x-ray before surgery to determine the exact location of the osteoma and whether it can be removed without taking off the frontal sinus wall. With an endoscopic technique, an osteoma is removed by an osteotome, (chisel) not a burr. If it involved the sinus wall, trying to remove with an osteotome could result in the entire frontal sinus wall coming with it.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana