DELAYED DEVELOPMENT OF AN ECTOPIC FRONTAL-SINUS MUCOCELE AFTER PEDIATRIC CRANIAL TRAUMA

We describe the delayed occurrence of a frontal sinus mucocele 14 year s after the original trauma. The patient presented with a laterally di splaced, enlarging mass that encroached on the dura. The sterile mucoc ele was removed, and the cranial defect was reconstructed with methyl methacrylate and wire mesh. Our experience confirms the known but rare ly observed late development of a mucocele after pediatric facial trau ma. To prevent the sequela of mucocele development, the mucosa of the rudimentary frontal sinus in the pediatric patient must be carefully s ought and ablated during reconstructive procedures of the forehead whe n traumatic injury significantly disrupts the normal bony anatomy.