Publication:

Benign lesions of the nose: a comprehensive study

Background Benign lesions of the nasal cavity represent a diverse group of pathologies. Furthermore, each of these disorders may present differently in any given patient as pain and discomfort, epistaxis, headaches, vision changes, or nasal obstruction.

Methods This study was carried out in a tertiary care center in India from October 2016 to March 2018. A total of 80 patients of age 10 years to 80 years were included. Detailed history and complete ENT examination including radiological studies was done. Patients were subjected to diagnostic nasal endoscopy and biopsy followed by histopathological examination. Depending on the diagnosis, medical or surgical treatment or combination of both was administered.

Results In present study the commonest presenting complaint was found to be nasal blockage found in 76% of cases, followed by rhinorrhea in 40%, nasal mass in 30%, epistaxis in 16%, cheek swelling in 5%. Out of 80 benign lesions, polyp was noted in 65 cases, hemangioma in 8 and inverted papilloma in 3 cases. Out of 65 cases of polyps, 52 were antrochoanal, 10 ethmoidal and 3 maxillary. Medical treatment was given in ethmoidal polyp cases, out of which 5 were cured. Most common surgery was polypectomy. Lateral rhinotomy was done in 6 casesConclusions: Patients with benign lesions of the nose commonly presented in the second and third decade with slight male preponderance.Antrochoanal polyps are most common. Medical treatment works to a certain extent in patients with ethmoidal polyposis and surgery is the mainstay of treatment in the benign lesions of the nose.