Lesions of nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx - An analysis over 3 years at a tertiary care setting

Abstract

Objective Lesions involving nasal cavity(NC), paranasal sinuses(PNS) and nasopharynx consists of a wide variety of inflammatory, non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. Even though they are common in Sri Lanka proper data is scarce. The aim of this study is to determine various histopathological patterns of NC, PNS and nasopharyngeal lesions, their relative distribution with regard to age and sex in our setting. Methodology A retrospective analytical study was carried out in all patients who underwent biopsies of the above lesions presented to ENT unit at National Hospital of Sri Lanka from 1.1.2015 to 31.12.2017. Results From 238 patients who underwent biopsies, the commonest site was the NC (51.06%) followed by the PNS (43.9%). Male to female ratio was 1.38:1. 79.8% were non-neoplastic, from which 88.9% were inflammatory and 7.3% were fungal, where mucormycosis and rhinosporidiosis being the commonest. Out of the neoplastic conditions (20.8%), 54.1% were benign, with inverted papilloma being the commonest (42.3%), commonly seen in 6th and 7th decades with a male predominance, followed by angiofibroma (15.3%). Squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest malignancy (40.9%), common in 7th and 8th decades with a male predominance, followed by adenocarcinoma (18.18%), adenoid cystic carcinoma (9%) and non- Hodgkin’s B cell lymphoma (9%). Conclusion Internationally benign and malignant neoplasms are more common in 4 to 5th decades and 5-6th decades respectively. But in our study both benign and malignant neoplasms were found approximately two decades later in life. This may be due to the late presentation hence we recommend a thorough ENT examination at the earliest presentation of nasal symptoms.