Experimental Results of Autogenous Cancellous Bone Chips Transplanted into the Canine Frontal Sinus Cavity

Autogenous marrow-cancellous bone chips were transplanted into 36 canine frontal sinus cavities and studied over variable postoperative periods by radiographic and histologic methods. Cysts lined with frontal sinus mucosa were noted to enlarge progressively between three and 26 weeks. Cysts which originated from the ectoturbinate scroll frequently went on to communicate with the nasofrontal duct (neocavitation). If no cystic formation developed, this loosely packed autograft eventually was transformed into organized cancellous bone, thus obliterating the sinus cavity. When external frontal contour was evaluated, good results were obtained when the cavity was completely filled with cancellous autograft. If partial filling of the sinus cavity was performed, a variable amount of depression was noted.