Frontal sinus mucoceles presenting in the upper eyelid: an easily missed diagnosis

Summary

Frontal sinus mucoceles are epithelium-lined mucus-containing sacs that are capable of bony expansion causing a spectrum of ophthalmological symptoms. If left untreated, they can erode the thin sinus wall causing life-threatening complications such as meningitis. We would like to alert the clinicians to this diagnosis that can be easily misdiagnosed. The first patient appeared to have an allergic blepharo-conjunctivitis that was not responding to topical and systemic medications. The second patient presented with recurrent preseptal cellulitis unresponsive to oral antibiotics. CT imaging of both patients revealed frontal sinus mucoceles. Both patients recovered well with sinus surgery. Management of these patients needed a close liaison with our ENT and radiology colleagues to warrant a good outcome.