Endoscopy in the removal of frontal osteomas [L'endoscopia nell'asportazione di osteomi frontali]

Osteomas are benign bone lesions, characterized by bone escrescences, usually arising in membranous bones. They appear to be well circumscribed, localized, sessile or peduncolated. Their origin is clearly not neoplastic, but traumatic. A 3:1 female to male ratio has been noted; most osteomas appear as a painless, slowly enlarging, hard lump, and quite often, patients seek a solution for cosmesis only. Osteomas have a predilection for young adults, most commonly from the second to fifth decadee, so patients have a keen interst in getting a good cosmetic result. They can be completely excised by way of a direct incision of the lesion, but this inevitably leaves a scar. Aesthetic considerations are important features in the craniomaxillofacial region. Expecially for patients who are not willing tgo accept the risk of a prominent forehead scar. Endoscopic excision is minimally invasive and contributes to an improved aesthetic appearance. The advantages of forehead endoscopy are multiple: reduces postoperative pain, Shortens hospital stays, and diminishes periods of disability. Our purpose is to describe the clinical experience with the removal of forehead masses in five patients.