Gigantic Nasal Fibroma: CT and MR Imaging Findings with Histopathological Correlation

Ryutarou Ukisu,Hiroki Takenaka,Ryuichiro Fukuhara,Norihiro Hashizume,Tamio Kushihashi,Madoka Tonouchi,Yuichiro Kawahara

doi:10.4236/ojmi.2013.33016

Abstract

A 79-year-old woman with gradually worsening left nasal obstruction, purulent rhinorrhea and severe headaches for 6 months admitted to the hospital. A gray-white and huge mass occupying the left nasal cavity was found in physical examination. CT revealed a soft-tissue-density mass in the left nasal cavity with erosion of adjacent bone structures. On T2-weighted MR images, the lesion showed homogenous extreme low signal intensity. The patient underwent successful surgical removal of huge sinonasal soft tissue mass measuring 50 × 45 × 40 mm. The final diagnosis of fibroma was made histologically. MR imaging studies showed characteristic signal intensities corresponding to histopathological components. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the MR imaging findings of huge nasal fibroma in the English literature.

Highlights

Fibromas of the upper respiratory tract have been described as polypoid benign lesions, and are classified as fibrous polyps
Fibromas of the upper respiratory tract may originate from previous inflammatory reactions or fibroblast proliferations, which may result in tumors composed of collagen fiber and mature spindle cells
Fibromas are thought to be a result from progressive inflammation or fibroblastic proliferation of the nasal mucosa

Summary

Introduction

Fibromas of the upper respiratory tract have been described as polypoid benign lesions, and are classified as fibrous polyps. Fibromas of the upper respiratory tract may originate from previous inflammatory reactions or fibroblast proliferations, which may result in tumors composed of collagen fiber and mature spindle cells. In head and neck region, they occur mostly in the pharynx and larynx, but rarely in the nasal cavity [1,2]. CT of nasal and paranasal sinus reveals the relationship between the tumor and surrounding bony structures. MR imaging provides information on the margin of the tumor more clearly than CT. T2-weighted MR image revealed characteristic homogenous low signal intensity due to the fibrous component of the tumor

Case Report

Discussion