ABSTRACT
It is important for the radiologist to have a working knowledge of the indications for sinus surgery, the variety of surgical approaches undertaken, and the surgical complications that may result from these procedures. There are numerous neurovascular structures bordering the paranasal sinuses that are at potential risk of injury during surgery. The postoperative appearance may be mimicked by an orbital blowout fracture or by hypertrophy of the extraocular muscles associated with hyperthyroidism. The postoperative radiological appearance will depend upon the extent of resection. Inferior turbinectomy undertaken with septal surgery may predispose to adhesions or synechiae if there is apposition of the two raw surfaces. The radiological features are similar to those of an external ethmoidectomy, with additional widening of the frontal recess and excision of the floor of the frontal sinus. Following endoscopic sinus surgery, bony defects are usually confined to those sinus pre-chambers that were noted to be obstructed during the initial investigations.
