Management for Nonmalignant Primary Tumors of the Nasal Cavity

Abstract

Objective: Assess the treatment strategy for nonmalignant primary tumors of the nasal cavity. Method: The subjects were 41 patients who underwent surgery for nonmalignant tumors of the nasal cavity during the 3 years. An endoscopic examination, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed preoperatively, and all of the patients were treated surgically. Results: The diagnosis was papilloma in 21 cases, hemangioma in 15 cases, juvenile angiofibroma in 3 cases, and leiomyoma in 2 cases. For patients diagnosed with papilloma by endoscopy and CT, additional MRI was performed to identify the tumor base. Computer-aided surgery was used, and the tumor was endoscopically resected. Because blood flow was sufficient in cases of hemangiomas or angiofibromas, preoperative embolization was performed in 2 cases. Although external incision was anticipated in some cases, endoscopic resection of tumors was possible in all cases, and none of the patients required transfusions. Conclusion: It was possible to make the differential diagnosis between papilloma and hemangioma/angiofibroma on the basis of the preoperative endoscopic and CT findings. Safe and reliable resection was possible by combined use of MRI and computer-aided surgery for the papillomas, and use of embolization for the hemangiomas and angiofibromas.