Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Nasal Cavity

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is often founded in the head and neck region. However, BSCC in the sinonasal tract is rare. We report here on the case of a 58-yr-old woman who presented with nasal obstruction and epistaxis. Computed tomography and examination of the nasal cavity revealed a tumor mass that originated from the right inferior turbinate with erosion of the nasal floor. The tumor that was attached to the inferior turbinate, the lateral nasal wall and the eroded right side hard palate, and so all this was resected. Histopathologic examination of the excised tumor confirmed BSCC in the nasal cavity. We report here on a nasal cavity BSCC that was treated with partial maxillectomy only.     

Endonasal endoscopic oncologic resection and reconstruction of the anterior skull base in the elderly: A single-center retrospective study

IntroductionIn old and frail patients, oncologic anterior skull-base surgery through an endonasal endoscopic approach avoids the morbidity incurred by transfacial and transcranial approaches, sometimes considered unreasonable, although surgery remains the gold standard treatment for sinonasal cancer.ObjectivesTo assess the functional and oncologic results of this surgery in over-70 year-olds.Material and methodsA single-center retrospective study included all patients aged over 70 years at surgery, who underwent endonasal endoscopic oncologic resection and reconstruction of the anterior skull base, between October 2008 and October 2018.ResultsFifteen procedures in 13 patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean hospital stay was 7 days. All resections were considered R0, apart from one case with positive dura-mater margins (6.7%). All patients had complete radio-surgical treatment, in accordance with the REFCOR recommendations. Two cases of meningitis were reported (13.3%). At a median follow-up of 27 months, 4 patients presented local recurrence, 1 of whom also had lung metastases. Two patients died of disease-related or treatment-related causes.ConclusionThis technique is a feasible treatment in patients aged over 70 years, providing good functional results, and acceptable oncologic outcome.     

The Role of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor in the Pathogenesis of Sinonasal Polyps: Immunohistochemical Assessment in Epithelial,Subepithelial and Deep Layers of the Mucosa

Objectives

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the pathogenesis of sinonasal polyps.

Methods

Study group (groups 1-3) consisted of nasal polyp samples of patients with sinonasal polyps and the control group consisted of inferior turbinate samples of patients without nasal polyp. In group 1, 14 specimens from ethmoid sinus; in group 2, 10 specimens from nasal cavity; in group 3, 10 specimens from maxillary sinus; and in group 4 (control), 9 specimens from inferior turbinate were included. By immunohistochemical staining technique, the PDGF positivity index (PI) in mucosal layers and in the inflammatory cells were assessed at the epithelium (EP), subepithelial layer of lamina propria (SE), and deep paraglandular layer of the mucosa (D).

Results

Polymorphonuclear cell (PMNC)-percentage (%) values of ethmoid and maxillary sinus, and the PDGF PI from all cells of ethmoid sinus and nasal cavity were significantly higher than those of the control group. As mononuclear cell-% (MNC-%) increased, the PDGF_EP_basal PI, PDGF_SE_endothelial PI, and PDGF_D_endothelial PI decreased. As PMNC-PDGF PI increased, the PDGF_D_perivascular PI decreased and PDGF_D_endothelial PI increased. As PDGF-MNC PI increased, the PDGF_EP_apical PI, PDGF_SE_endothelial PI, and PDGF_D_endothelial PI decreased. As PDGF-all cells (PMNCs, MNCs, and fibroblasts) PI increased, the PDGF_EP_basal PI and PDGF_D_endothelial PI decreased, and the PDGF_D_perivascular PI increased.

Conclusion

We concluded that the PDGF systems play important roles in polyp pathogenesis. Fibroblast-derived PDGF may be more important than MNC-derived PDGF in polyp developing process. Increased perivascular-PDGF-PI in deep layers of the mucosa may result in sinonasal polyp formation by causing an increase in vascular permeability and extracellular edema, and thus promoting migration of inflammatory cells to extracellular area. Tissue oxygenization may be important for the initiation of PDGF release system. Because of this reason, nasal obstruction should be medically treated earlier, and, if necessary, by surgical approaches.     

Schwannoma of the nasal septum: Rare presentation and literature review

Schwannomas are benign primary tumors of the Schwann cells of the nerve sheath known to occur throughout the body. We present a unique case of a schwannoma arising from the nasal septum in a healthy 16-year-old adolescent boy. The patient had approximately two months of left-sided nasal obstruction after sustaining a lacrosse injury to the nose. Imaging revealed a nonspecific soft tissue mass, which after nasal endoscopy and excision was revealed to be a schwannoma. We discuss our results as well as present a review of the existing literature.     

Sinonasal intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia successfully treated by endoscopic excision: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) is an abundant, usually intravascular, benign endothelial proliferation that may mimic angiosarcoma clinically and histopathologically. Its occurrence in the sinonasal cavity is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case with the most extensive IPEH ever found within the sinonasal cavity. METHODS: A 42-year-old man of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia in the sinonasal cavity was reported. He complained of a 1-year history of left-sided nasal obstruction accompanied by unilateral rhinorrhea, repeated epistaxes and frontal headache. Anterior rhinoscopy demonstrated a smooth-surfaced reddish mass occupying the left nasal cavity. Endoscopic surgery was used to clear this uncommon tumor in the sinonasal cavity. A review of the pertinent literature was also presented. CONCLUSIONS: IPEH may be mistaken for an angiosarcoma clinically and histopathologically. Complete endoscope-guided surgical excision is the best choice of therapy for patients with IPEH and is both diagnostic and curative. Awareness of this lesion will prevent incorrect diagnosis and overly aggressive treatment.