Nasopharyngeal Hamartoma: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

The uncommon benign developmental malformation, nasopharyngeal hamartoma, is reported with a review of the literature. Nasopharyngeal hamartoma can be divided into two types based on the histologic presentation. A more common type is composed predominantly of mesodermal tissues while a less common type, as reported in this study, is composed of a spectrum of mucosal epithelial, serous/mucinous gland, and stromal elements. Four additional cases of this less common type of nasopharyngeal hamartoma were found in the literature and are discussed with reference to age, sex, presenting symptoms, location, size, and histology.     

Chondroid hamartoma presenting as a neonatal nasal mass.

We present a case of a 3-month-old female with a right nasal mass. Upon evaluation with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography, a large right intranasal mass extending through the cribiform plate, displacing the dura, was noted. The patient underwent a combined midfacial degloving and bifrontal craniotomy for complete resection of the tumor mass. Pathologic evaluation demonstrated a mesenchymal tumor with spindle and stellate cells from which islands of immature cartilage emerged. The spectrum of histologic features closely resembled a mesenchymal chondroid hamartoma typically located in the chest wall. It is the first reported case of a chondroid hamartoma of the head and neck in the literature to date. We examine the characteristics and treatment of this unusual tumor.     

Giant hamartoma of the retro- and parapharyngeal region. Case report and review of literature

Hamartoma designates a tumor-like, non-neoplastic malformation, or in-born error of tissue development, often with an abnormal mixture of tissue indigenous to the region. In the head and neck, epithelial and mesenchymal hamartomas are uncommon. We present the case of a 9-year-old boy with a huge hamartoma of 800ml (cm(3)) volume of the right retro- and parapharyngeal region. It had fully occluded the nasopharynx, indented the base of the tongue and left a minimal airway passage transorally. Food uptake was severely hampered by the lesion. The patient underwent a combined transoral and external approach for complete resection of the tumor. This is the first reported case of a retro- and parapharyngeal hamartoma with metaplastic bone formation in the literature and further more, the largest hamartoma in head and neck ever reported in this age group.     

Neuromuscular hamartoma of the cochlear nerve: a rare occurrence in the internal auditory meatus

The authors present a case of neuromuscular hamartoma of the cochlear nerve, an unusual occurrence in the internal auditory meatus (IAM). A review of the literature shows no previous report of neuromuscular hamartoma of the cochlear nerve. This tumour was clinically and radiologically difficult to distinguish from acoustic neuroma. It is important to consider the diagnosis of these rare small tumours pre-operatively, as it may be appropriate to manage this conservatively. Received: 28 June 2001 / Accepted: 21 September 2001     

Frontal sinus hamartomas

OBJECTIVE: To review the entity of respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma of the paranasal sinuses using an illustrative case example of frontal sinus hamartoma. METHODS: Case report with review of the literature. RESULTS: Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma represents a benign process that is generally cured with conservative surgical resection of the involved area. Nevertheless, as shown in our case example, this can be a locally aggressive process that can lead to significant morbidity if left untreated. CONCLUSION: Hamartomas of the paranasal sinuses represent a rare entity, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of expansile sinonasal lesions. Treatment of choice is surgical resection. Frontal sinus involvement may extend into the surrounding orbit and intracranial cavities, which may need to be addressed with standard skull base surgery techniques.     

Giant-cell reparative granuloma of the temporal bone: a case report and review of the literature

Giant-cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) is an unusual, non-neoplastic fibrous lesion that most often arises in the mandible and maxilla. GCRG of the temporal bone is exceedingly rare. To the best of our knowledge, only 17 cases have been previously reported in the international medical literature. Although no case of metastasis has been reported, this malignancy can be locally aggressive, and it often recurs following incomplete excision. We report the case of a young woman with a very large GCRG of the right temporal bone. We discuss the clinical picture, differential diagnosis, histologic evaluation, appearance on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and treatment options. We also review the cases of temporal bone GCRG that have been reported in the literature so far.     

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the tonsil: a case report and literature review

We describe a case of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) of the tonsil in a 59-year-old woman. She was successfully treated with excision of the mass and postoperative radiation therapy. According to our review of the literature, only 25 cases of extranodal FDCS in the head and neck have been previously reported, including only 10 cases that involved a tonsil. We briefly review these earlier reports, and we discuss the diagnosis and management of FDCS.     

Rare case of a respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma of the nasal cavity, maxillary sinus et ethmoid sinuses: a clinicopathologic study

A case of the respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma of the nasal cavity, maxillary sinus and ethmoid sinuses for the first time in the polish literature was reported. Characteristic clinical symptoms and histopathologic features, diagnosis and surgical intervention as well differential diagnosis were introduced.     

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma: a case report

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid (READ) hamartoma is a recently described entity characterized by abnormal glandular formations arising from the epithelium of the nasal cavity. The etiology of the lesion is unclear and may be secondary to either sinonasal inflammation or developmental error. We present a case of a 54-year-old man with a unilateral nasal mass found to be consistent with READ hamartoma upon pathologic review. Although READ hamartomas are thought to be rare, awareness of the lesion is important since it may be confused with sinonasal adenocarcinoma, leading to overly aggressive treatment. Therefore, READ hamartoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a unilateral nasal mass.     

Sternoclavicular joint pseudo-tumour: a case report and literature review

This case report describes the development of a post-treatment enlargement of the sternoclavicular joint, diagnosed as a pseudo-tumour, in a patient who had previously undergone radical neck dissection and post-operative radiotherapy for metastatic mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Although pseudo-tumour has been previously reported in the surgical literature, it remains an uncommonly recognized condition. We present a review of the literature and discuss the condition's pathogenesis. We also highlight its importance to both the surgeon and the oncologist when considering the differential diagnosis of a swelling in the clavicular region, typically occurring following radical surgery for malignant disease in the neck.     

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma of the maxillary sinus

A case of respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma of the maxillary sinus is reported. Glandular hamartomas involving the sinonasal tract have received only limited documentation in the literature. The differential diagnosis of adenomatoid hamartoma includes schneiderian papilloma of the inverted type and adenocarcinoma. Limited but complete surgical resection is the treatment of choice.     

Carcinoid tumour of the larynx (a case report and review of the literature)

Carcinoid tumours of the larynx are extremely rare, only 13 cases having previously been reported in the world literature. A case is reported here with the unusual complication of skin metastases. The true diagnosis is seldom made on the original biopsy, which is commonly reported as poorly differentiated carcinoma. A review of the literature is made with a discussion of the histological diagnosis and treatment modalities.     

Two stage management of petrositis with associated mycotic aneurysm of the intrapetrous carotid artery

Mycotic aneurysm of the petrous temporal bone is extremely rare, with only 12 cases previously reported. We review the literature to date and present a case of petrositis complicated by a mycotic aneurysm of the internal carotid artery, which was managed by endovascular balloon occlusion and subsequent total petrosectomy. We can find no other case in the literature where balloon occlusion has been used to treat a mycotic aneurysm of the intrapetrous carotid artery prior to total petrosectomy to treat petrositis.     

Pasteurella multocida epiglottitis: A review and report of a new case with associated chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Pasteurella multocida is a gram-negative coccobacillus that primarily affects animals. P multocida infections in humans are usually associated with animal contact. To the best of our knowledge, only 7 cases of P multocida epiglottitis have been previously reported in the English-language literature; none of these cases occurred in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We describe what we believe is the first reported case of P multocida epiglottitis in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and we review the previous reports of this rare entity.     

An unusual foreign body (Big Metallic Nut) in the nasopharynx of an infant

Foreign body in the nasopharynx is an extremely rare conidition; however a big metallic nut in the masopharynx of an infant of eight- months has not been previously reported in literature. We report an unusual case where an eight-month-old child introduced a big metallic nut through the mouth and was lodged in the nasopharynx, with a brief review of literature regarding the diagnosis and management of such case.     

Angioleiomyoma of the internal auditory meatus: a rare occurrence in the internal auditory canal

We describe a case of angioleiomyoma of the internal auditory meatus. A finding of this tumor at this site is very unusual. In fact, our review of the literature revealed that only 1 case has been previously reported. In our patient, the tumor was clinically and radiologically difficult to distinguish from an acoustic neuroma. It would be important to recognize this rare small tumor preoperatively because it may be appropriate to manage it conservatively.     

Metachronous bilateral submandibular gland metastases from carcinoma of the breast

Metastases to the salivary glands from distant neoplasms are unusual, with most reported cases involving the parotid gland. Metastatic deposits in the submandibular gland are extremely rare with bilateral involvement not previously reported. We present the case of a patient with advanced breast carcinoma who has had metachronous involvement of both submandibular glands and review the literature on this subject.     

Multiple bilateral synchronous Warthin's tumors: a case report and review of the literature

Warthin's tumor is a relatively uncommon and biologically fascinating neoplasm of salivary glands. Bilateral simultaneous parotid Warthin's tumors have been reported previously, as have multiple unilateral tumors. However, an extensive search of the English and non-English medical literature revealed only two previous reports of multiple bilateral Warthin's tumor presenting simultaneously. We report a third case, and review the unique embryological origin and biological characteristics of this entity.     

Idiopathic acquired ectopic auricular ossification: a case report and review of the literature

A petrified auricle is a rare condition in which the structure becomes partially or completely rigid. It arises as a consequence of calcification or ossification of the auricular cartilage. An ossified auricle is much more rare than a calcified cartilage, and it can be diagnosed only by histology. To the best of our knowledge, only 18 cases of ossification of the auricle have been previously reported in the literature. We report a new case of auricular ossification in a 72-year-old woman who had taken calcium for the previous 8 years. We also review the relevant literature.     

Rhino sinusal bilateral hamartoma: a case report

The hamartoma is a benign rare tumor constituted by a mixture of tissue. It is very unusual in the nasal cavity.The objective of the study is to describe an unusual case of bilateral nasal hamartoma. We report a 52-year-old male patient with a bilateral paranasal hamartoma of the ethmoid and maxillary sinus. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was performed to completely remove the masses.The reported localization is unusual because the most common site in the nose is the posterior septum. Although hamartoma arising from the rhino sinusal region is very rare, head and neck surgeons must know this entity in order to differentiate it from inverted papilloma and adenocarcinoma. Misinterpretation of this lesion may result in aggressive surgery for a benign lesion.