English

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses present a range of non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions by virtue of their anatomic and histologic diversity. Although a presumptive diagnosis is arrived at based on presenting symptoms and imaging techniques, histopathology is the mainstay for definitive diagnosis and management of sinonasal lesions. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence, mode of presentation and histologic types of sinonasal lesions in surgical pathology material. SETTING AND DESIGN: Retrospective retrieval of all sinonasal lesions and histopathologic analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All sinonasal lesions, biopsied or excised over a period of three years between May 2010 and May 2013, were studied. The lesions were classified as non-neoplastic or neoplastic. Neoplasms were further categorised as benign and malignant. The histology was correlated with clinical features. Special stains and immunohistochemistry were done wherever indicated. RESULTS: In three years, sixty- one sinonasal lesions were reported, representing 0.47% of all surgical pathology specimens. Out of sixty- one cases, forty- one (67.21%) were non-neoplastic and twenty (32.79%) were neoplastic. Sinonasal lesions were common in the second and third decades of life, with male predominance. Among the non-neoplastic lesions, inflammatory polyps were the most common (80.49%). Among neoplasms, benign tumors (60%) were more frequent than malignant tumors (40%). Angiofibroma (6 cases-50%) was the commonest benign neoplasm and squamous cell carcinoma (4 cases- 50%) was the commonest malignant neoplasm. CONCLUSION: Non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions in the sinonasal region have similar clinical manifestations. Categorization based on histopathology is necessary for differential diagnosis, management and prognosis of these uncommon lesions.