Current perspectives on imaging and treatment of juvenile angiofibromas : Areview

Abstract

Juvenile angiofibroma is abenign tumor, whose surgical treatment may be complicated due to intraoperative hemorrhage. The tumors appear as well circumscribed, reddish masses, which often extend into the complete nasal cavity and nasopharynx. Diagnosis is based on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with angiography to identify supplying blood vessels. Open resection. The endoscopic endonasal resection is the therapy of choice and may be combined with open surgery after endovascular embolization. Radiation or hormone therapy are alternatives for patients with very advanced tumors or high surgical morbidity. Depending on location and age of the patients, residual tumors after surgery can be watched only or treated with radiotherapy. Preoperative endovascular embolization lowers intraoperative blood loss by about 70%, induces tumor shrinkage, and facilitates resection. The endonasal approach will lower the peri- and postoperative morbidity. An endonasal approach combined with preoperative endovascular embolization should be preferred over open resection, but requires expertise as well as modern endoscopy and navigation equipment. MRI follow-ups should be performed regularly until after puberty. Recurrence after puberty is very uncommon.