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Tobias et al: Clinical findings and outcomes of eight dogs with surgically treated frontal sinus mucoceles
Veterinary Surgery 6, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • Frontal sinus mucoceles occurred in young dogs, often linked to prior skull trauma by 10 months of age.
  • All dogs presented with expansile, fluid-filled lesions causing facial swelling; CT showed multicentric bone erosion, including the frontal bone and cribriform plate.
  • Surgical options included frontal sinusotomy with either sinus lining ablation or re-establishment of nasofrontal drainage, with or without stenting.
  • Nasofrontal stenting led to long-term resolution in most dogs, although recurrence occurred in 4/8 dogs, requiring revision surgery in 3.
  • Complications were minor and included swelling or nasal discharge; no intraoperative complications were reported.
  • Histology confirmed sterile mucoceles with neutrophilic inflammation and mucin, and cultures were negative in all cases.
  • Guaifenesin was used postoperatively in several cases to reduce mucus viscosity; its benefit is unproven in dogs but may support drainage.

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← Articles

Tobias et al: Clinical findings and outcomes of eight dogs with surgically treated frontal sinus mucoceles
Veterinary Surgery 6, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

  • Frontal sinus mucoceles occurred in young dogs, often linked to prior skull trauma by 10 months of age.
  • All dogs presented with expansile, fluid-filled lesions causing facial swelling; CT showed multicentric bone erosion, including the frontal bone and cribriform plate.
  • Surgical options included frontal sinusotomy with either sinus lining ablation or re-establishment of nasofrontal drainage, with or without stenting.
  • Nasofrontal stenting led to long-term resolution in most dogs, although recurrence occurred in 4/8 dogs, requiring revision surgery in 3.
  • Complications were minor and included swelling or nasal discharge; no intraoperative complications were reported.
  • Histology confirmed sterile mucoceles with neutrophilic inflammation and mucin, and cultures were negative in all cases.
  • Guaifenesin was used postoperatively in several cases to reduce mucus viscosity; its benefit is unproven in dogs but may support drainage.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Tobias 2025 et al., on frontal sinus mucoceles, what was concluded about the role of guaifenesin in post-op management of mucoceles?

A. Shown to cure mucoceles in all cases
B. Only effective when combined with stenting
C. Improved mucosal healing in histology
D. Used to reduce mucus viscosity; benefit unproven
E. Associated with higher recurrence

Answer: Used to reduce mucus viscosity; benefit unproven

Explanation: Guaifenesin was used in several cases to aid mucus clearance, but its efficacy in dogs remains undocumented.
In Tobias 2025 et al., on frontal sinus mucoceles, which surgical approach was associated with long-term resolution in the majority of cases?

A. Simple drainage without debridement
B. Frontal sinusotomy with fat graft ablation only
C. Nasofrontal stenting after opening re-establishment
D. Antibiotic therapy and NSAIDs
E. Partial sinus lining removal only

Answer: Nasofrontal stenting after opening re-establishment

Explanation: Nasofrontal stenting resulted in long-term resolution in 5 of the 6 dogs with successful outcomes.
In Tobias 2025 et al., on frontal sinus mucoceles, what was the most common presumed etiology in affected dogs?

A. Prior dental disease
B. Primary sinus infection
C. Skull trauma during puppyhood
D. Chronic rhinitis
E. Foreign body obstruction

Answer: Skull trauma during puppyhood

Explanation: Trauma was reported in 7 of 8 dogs, making it the most common suspected etiology.
In Tobias 2025 et al., on frontal sinus mucoceles, what was a common minor postoperative complication seen in some dogs?

A. Seizures
B. Wound dehiscence
C. Swelling and nasal discharge
D. Blindness
E. Severe hemorrhage

Answer: Swelling and nasal discharge

Explanation: Minor complications included transient swelling or nasal discharge; no major intraoperative issues were reported.
In Tobias 2025 et al., on frontal sinus mucoceles, which imaging finding was most consistently reported across all dogs?

A. Intracranial hemorrhage
B. Fluid-filled frontal sinus with soft tissue rim
C. Orbital fracture
D. Enophthalmos
E. Air-fluid levels in maxillary sinus

Answer: Fluid-filled frontal sinus with soft tissue rim

Explanation: All dogs had a fluid-attenuating, expansile lesion with a contrast-enhancing soft tissue rim on CT.

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