Publication:

A study of benign sino-nasal tumors in rural tertiary care hospital

Background The sino-nasal unit, although anatomically a very small space, is quite exceptional in the sense that an eclectic mix of neoplastic tumors originate from here. The diverse nature of the neoplastic pathologies and their unique natural histories prompted for this study.

Methods In this prospective study of two years, done in a rural tertiary care hospital of India, 46 patients with benign neoplastic tumors of nasal cavity, sinuses and nasopharynx were analyzed for their clinic-pathological and radiological profile and surgical management.

Results The incidence of benign tumor was predominant in second decade (34.8%) with significant male preponderance (M:F ratio 2.28:1). Unilateral nasal obstruction (100%) and epistaxis (84.8%) were the two most common presenting complaints. Almost half (48%) of the patients presented as late as more than one year after the onset of the symptoms. Nasal cavity was the commonest site of the tumors (50%). The most common benign tumor in present study was capillary hemangioma (41.31%) followed by angiofibroma (26.09%). All tumors were removed by a standard functional endoscopic sinus surgery or combined approach. Except a single case of inverted papilloma, all the other cases showed no recurrence at the end of one year follow up period.

Conclusions It can be concluded from present study that conjoint application of radiology, endoscopy and histopathology is of utmost importance in dealing with benign neoplastic pathology of sino-nasal region. There is significant success in managing benign sino-nasal tumors with functional endoscopic sinus surgery or by combined approach.