Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the maxillary sinus: a rare case

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare tumor that commonly involves the salivary glands. EMC of the maxillary sinus is extremely rare. We describe here a case of a 50-year-old patient who presented with right cheek swelling for 7 years and bilateral nasal obstruction and right nasal bleeding for 3 months. A pinkish polypoidal mass was seen in the right nasal cavity. Computed tomography scan revealed an expansile soft tissue mass in the right maxillary sinus with erosion of all of its walls. Histopathological examination of the excised specimen confirmed myoepithelial carcinoma with positive reaction to S-100 and smooth muscle actin. Subsequently, the patient developed regional nodal metastasis in the neck for which neck dissection was performed. Histopathology of the neck dissection specimen revealed metastatic EMC. EMC is rare tumor and a diagnostic dilemma. It should be considered in cases showing dual tumor cell population with clear cell change in histopathology. Common differential diagnosis includes metastatic renal cell carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, oncocytoma, and sebaceous carcinoma. Laryngoscope, 2012.     

Treatment outcome of nasal and paranasal sinus carcinoma

PURPOSE: Most authors recommend aggressive management for sinonasal carcinoma treatment. In an attempt to determine the optimal treatment, we assessed the treatment results of our patients with nasal cavity and paranasal sinus carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1980 to December 2001, 40 patients with malignant tumours of the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses were treated. The median follow-up was 6 years. Thirty-two patients had tumours originating from the maxillary sinus. Thirteen patients had T1-T2 (32.5%) tumours and 27 patients had T3-T4 (67.5%) tumours. The treatment method was surgery plus radiotherapy in 24 patients (60%) and radiotherapy alone in 16 patients (40%). RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rate was 61%, whereas it was 65% for T1-T2 disease and 56% for T3-T4 disease. The 5-year local control rate was 58%, whereas it was 75% and 50% (p = .219) for T1-T2 and T3-T4 disease, respectively. In multivariate analysis; localization (p = .016), adjuvant radiotherapy (p = .040), local control (p = .05), and gender (p = .013 for female) were statistically significant factors. CONCLUSION: The prognosis for patients with tumours of the sinonasal area is dependent on localization, tumour stage, and treatment modality. Because the most common site of treatment failure is the primary site, efforts to maximize local control should be undertaken.     

Long-term survival of patients with paranasal sinus carcinoma

The survival rate for all patients with a squamous cell carcinoma of the paranasal sinuses (n = 77) diagnosed in 1960-1985 in a population of approximately 1 million inhabitants was analysed without any selection of cases. This population is geographically restricted to the most northern part of Sweden. The 5-year survival rates of patients with T3 and T4 carcinomas were 42 and 14%, respectively (corrected survival), and the 10-year survival rates were 40 and 14%, respectively. In patients with tumours which initially were considered as resectable, the optimal treatment modality was a combination of radiotherapy and surgery.     

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the nasopharynx

We present a patient with a rare epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the nasopharynx with a typical biphasic histopathologic pattern. Immunohistochemical findings support the concept that the inner cells differentiate to ductal epithelium and the outer cells to myoepithelium. In this patient complete excision of the tumor and reconstruction with a pedicled sternocleidomastoid myocutaneous flap were performed. A DNA diploid pattern from flow cytometric study indicates a favorable prognosis. There was no recurrence nor metastasis for 55 months.     

An unusual foreign body in the paranasal sinuses

We report a case of 38-year-old male who was reffered from eye OPD with a retained foreign body in the periobita of Rt eye extending into the Rt ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses after six months of injury. The foreign body was removed through external ethmoidectomy and incision on the periorbita of Rt eye.     

An unusual cause of epistaxis: a haemophilic pseudotumour in a non-haemophiliac, arising in a paranasal sinus

Most cases of epistaxis are due to simple causes and are easily treated on an out-patient basis. However, there are some cases where the origin of bleeding is not obvious or arises from an unusual pathological source. The authors describe a case of epistaxis due to a mass in the maxillary antrum that when biopsied showed the histological appearances of a haemophilic pseudotumour. The patient was anticoagulated on warfarin for a cardiac valve replacement and this was thought to be the cause of the ongoing haemorrhage necessary for development of the pseudotumour. Even in haemophiliacs, pseudotumours are rare and we believe this case is unique in that the patient is a non-haemophiliac. The epistaxis was eventually controlled by external beam radiotherapy to the pseudotumour. The management of this case is outlined as well as a review of the literature on haemophilic pseudotumour.     

存活素在鼻腔鼻窦恶性肿瘤中表达的临床意义

目的 探讨细胞凋亡抑制蛋白——存活素（survivin）在鼻腔鼻窦恶性肿瘤中的表达及其与肿瘤细胞自发性凋亡、患者临床病理参数和预后的关系，为临床筛选高危患者提供一定的参数。方法 回顾性分析解放军总医院1991-2000年收治的48例原发性鼻腔鼻窦恶性肿瘤患者。所有患者均进行根治性手术，术后除4例患者未行放射治疗或化学治疗外，其余44例均行术后放疗，其中2例加行化疗。患者均随访3年以上，中位随访时间60．5个月。末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶介导的缺口末端标记法（terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase—mediated dUTP nick end lablling，TUNEL）结合碘化丙啶（propidium iodide，PI）及HE染色检测肿瘤细胞自发性凋亡情况，过氧化物酶标记的链霉卵白素法（streptavidin—pemxidase—biotin，SP）检测存活素的表达。用Spearman相关进行存活素蛋白表达与凋亡指数的相关分析，采用Log-rank进行生存率的比较，采用Cox回归进行影响患者预后的多因素分析。结果48例中共有25例（52．08％）健在无肿瘤复发，3例（6．25％）肿瘤复发或远处转移带瘤生存，2例（4．17％）死于其他疾病，14例（29．17％）死于该病，4例（8．33％）失访，按死于该病局部复发计算。48例中23例（47．92％）肿瘤组织存活素表达阳性，阳性染色主要位于细胞质，呈颗粒状或棕黄色着色，偶有胞核着色，而癌旁正常组织未见表达。存活素阳性组的凋亡指数（2．2）低于阴性（0．7）组表达（P〈0．05）。存活素阳性表达与凋亡指数呈负相关（r=-0．393，P=0．006）。晚期肿瘤（T3＋T4）存活素表达高于早期肿瘤（T1＋T2，χ^2=3．944，P=0．047）。存活素阳性表达组总生存率明显低于阴性表达组（P〈0．05）。多因素分析结果表明，存活素表达和肿瘤的组织学类型是影响患者预后的独立因素（P值分别为0．027和0．002）。结论 存活素过度表达可能与鼻腔鼻窦恶性肿瘤的发生有关。存活素可能通过抑制肿瘤细胞凋亡参与肿瘤的发生和发展。临床检测存活素表达有助于筛选具有高复发和死亡风险性的鼻腔鼻窦恶性肿瘤患者。     

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland

We report a rare case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) of the parotid gland. A 70-year-old man presented with a 4-months-history of right-sided subauricular swelling. Computed tomographic scans revealed a well-defined mass with cystic lesion, measuring about 40 mm in diameter, in the right parotid gland. Because the tumor occupied superficial lobe, he underwent superficial parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve. On the basis of the histological and immunohistochemical findings, the tumor was diagnosed as EMC. His post-operative course was uneventful, and he is currently free from disease 6 months after surgery. Diagnosis, clinical behavior and treatment of EMC are reviewed from perusal of the literature.     

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the nasal cavity

A 22-year-old male presented with a 1-year history of nasal obstruction due to a polypoid mass in the right nasal cavity. Histopathologic examination revealed the tumor to consist of a mixture of a trabecular structure with a double-layered arrangement of inner dark cells and outer clear cells. Immunohistochemical examination showed the clear cells to be positive for α-smooth muscle actin and S-100 protein. Ultrastructural examination confirmed the myoepithelial cell origin. The tumor was excised and no recurrence or metastasis was found 40 months after surgery. We describe here a rare case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma arising from the nasal cavity, one of the most unusual locations. Received: 2 September 1999 / Accepted: 22 February 2000     

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary gland

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of salivary gland is a rare tumor only recently described in the English language literature. This paper adds four new cases to the 30 which have previously been reported. The clinical presentation of this unusual neoplasm is documented in the accompanying case reports and the appropriate surgical management outlined. Follow-up ranges from six months to 12 years. The histopathological characteristics of this interesting tumor, in particular its classical biphasic cellular appearance, are described in detail both by light and electron microscopy. On the basis of histologic appearance and biological behavior, the authors postulate that epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma is an uncommon variant of adenoid cystic carcinoma.     

Endonasal approach for nasal and paranasal sinus tumor removal.

Patients with benign (53) and malignant (22) tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses were treated for tumor removal via an endonasal approach. Patient selection was based on tumor location (centrally) rather than histology. Tumors attainable by the endonasal approach were located in the nasal cavity, the ethmoid sinus, the sphenoid sinus and the medial wall of the maxillary sinus. Endonasal microscopic techniques including endonasal orbital decompression and endonasal closure of CSF-leaks were combined with surgical navigation tools in selected cases. Surgical trauma and morbidity could be minimized without compromising radicality of tumor removal. Postoperative hospitalization was comparable to the period needed after chronic inflammatory disease. Growing experience with endonasal techniques is leading towards a safe and effective treatment option for centrally located, selected tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses.     

Nasal and paranasal sinus changes after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To study sinonasal side-effects after radiotherapy (RT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study subjects comprised 32 cases of NPC (23 new cases, 9 old cases) who had been treated with RT with no recurrence. They were subjected to a saccharine test, nasal endoscopy and CT. RESULTS: There was a gradual and persistent increase in the saccharine delay time after RT. Endoscopy showed that, early post-RT, edema and discharge were replaced by delayed crusting and adhesions. CT showed that the maxillary sinus, anterior ethmoid sinus and ostiomeatal complex were the areas most affected. CONCLUSIONS: Rhinosinusitis is a common post-RT side-effect in NPC patients. A pre-RT saccharine test is a good predictor of those patients who are more likely to develop sinonasal side-effects. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery should be considered with caution in post-RT rhinosinusitis.     

鼻腔鼻窦神经内分泌癌8例并文献复习

目的 探讨鼻腔鼻窦神经内分泌癌的临床特征、病理表现、治疗手段、预后及影响预后的因素.方法 回顾经病理证实的8例原发性鼻腔鼻窦神经内分泌癌患者的临床病例资料.结果 随访5～70个月,中位随访时间23个月,8例中典型类癌1例、不典型类癌4例、小细胞神经内分泌癌2例、复合型神经内分泌癌1例(低分化神经内分泌癌伴内翻性乳头状瘤...     

Mycoses of the paranasal sinus system

BACKGROUND: During the last few years, in increasing number of fungal infections in the paranasal sinus system has been observed. Aspergillus species as well as mucor and candida albicans are especially responsible for these mycoses. PATIENTS: Twenty-seven cases of a fungal infection of the paranasal sinuses were observed between 1986 and 1997. The majority of the patients showed a chronic noninvasive form with affection of the maxillary sinus. Other forms (fulminant invasive form, chronic invasive form, allergic fungal sinusitis) are described. Typical features for fungal infection do exist in MRI and CT. CONCLUSIONS: A flexible therapeutic strategy is required in which appropriate pharmacologic and surgical options are tailored to the respective clinical picture.     

Fasciitis ossificans of the paranasal sinus

We report a case of fasciitis ossificans of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus in an infant who was surgically treated in our department. Fasciitis ossificans is a rare benign reactive lesion and a variant of the more commonly known entity nodular fasciitis. We present the radiographic appearance and discuss the surgical resection, which was performed by a paranasal section, as well as the histologic and immunohistochemical results. To the best of our knowledge, no other case of fasciitis ossificans of the paranasal sinus has yet been reported. It is important to publish cases such as this, because their recognition as benign entities can prevent aggressive surgical procedures.     

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma arising in the nasal cavity

This study documents a case of an epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) in the left nasal cavity. A 70-year-old woman who presented with recurrent epistaxis of the left nasal nostril of 3 months duration was found to have a polypoid tumor in the left nasal cavity. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a tumor to occupy the left inferior and middle nasal cavity which had destroyed the inferior nasal turbinate, and a horizontal scan showed the tumor to occupy the middle and posterior nasal cavity. Since the tumor was connected to the lateral wall of the left nasal cavity with a narrow stalk, the tumor was excised by peeling the mucosa from the wall of the left nasal cavity. Based on the histological and immunohistochemical findings, the tumor was diagnosed to be an EMC. The follow-up at 12 months after the operation showed no evidence of recurrence.     

Meningioma of the paranasal sinus: a case report

Extracranial meningioma of the paranasal sinus is a very rare condition of unclear etiology. Surgical excision is currently the only curative treatment but sometimes entails difficulties because of the complicated anatomic loci of the tumor. For the case reported here, we used a navigation system in endoscopic surgery for an extracranial meningioma of the paranasal sinus and were able to remove the tumor without complications by a transnasal approach alone. This is the first report of the use of such a system with endoscopic surgery for this condition. We discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this case as well as present a review of the literature.