OBJECTIVETo investigate the surgical approaches for sinonasal tumors with intracranial extension.

METHODSSeventeen patients with intracranial invasion tumors were treated surgically by maxillectomy combined with frontal or infratemporal approaches in 11 cases, including squamous cell carcinoma 8 cases, papillocarcinoma 2 cases and meningioma 1 case. Nasofrontal bone translocation in 1 case which was a meningioma case, craniofacial approaches in 5 cases, including squamous cell carcinoma 4 cases and esthesioneuroblastoma 1 csae.

RESULTSOne of two meningioma cases with cavernous sinus invasion was incompletely resected, another case was resected en bloc. In malignant group, ten cases were treated by nasomaxillectomy combined with frontal or infratemporal approaches. One patient died 1 year after operation, 7 cases survived for over 3 years, and 5 for over 5 years. Five cases were treated by craniofacial approach, among them, one patient died 6 months after operation, 4 cases survived for over 3 years, and 2 for over 5 years. All patients healed smoothly.

CONCLUSIONSMaxillary nasopyramid translocation combined with frontocranial or infratemporal approach is available for en bloc removal of sinonasal tumors with intracranial extension. The nasofrontal bone translocation is available for removal of tumors with limited intracranial extension and well developed frontal sinus. Cranioanterolateral facial approach is suitable for nasocranial tumors with facial bone involvement.