Endoscopic surgery of inverted papillomas under image guidance--a prospective study of 42 consecutive cases at a Danish university clinic.

Background: To evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic surgery with image guidance in the treatment of inverted papillomas.

Study Design And Setting: This prospective cohort study comprised 42 consecutive patients with biopsy-confirmed inverted papillomas that were diagnosed between 1998 and 2003. All patients were treated by the first author (C.B.). Image guidance based on preacquired CT scans of the patients was used to assist the surgeon aiming at endoscopic resection of inverted papilloma. The success of the surgery was judged primarily by the recurrence rate and the treatment morbidity.

Results: The study group consisted of 30 males and 12 females with a median age of 61 years. The follow-up period ranged from 9 months to 69 months (median, 37 months). The only additional procedure performed was the Caldwell-Luc procedure (8 cases). Recurrence was diagnosed in 10 cases (24%), all in the original tumor site. Eight of these had undergone previous surgery for inverted papilloma. The recurrences were predominantly located in the maxillary or in the frontal sinus (8 cases). In 2 cases, the recurrence was simply removed endoscopically while performing the biopsy procedure. All recurrences were identified within the first 9 months. Associated malignancy was not shown. No severe complications occurred.

Conclusions: A treatment based on endoscopic resection with image guidance appears to offer a safe treatment modality of inverted papilloma with insignificant morbidity. Predominantly cases with nonmedial involvement of the maxillary sinus still require a supplement with the Caldwell Luc procedure. Although all the recurrences were found within 9 months postoperatively, later recurrences cannot be excluded. Long-term follow-up is recommended.