Nasal Cavity Masses: Clinico-Radiologic Collaborations, Differential Diagnosis by Special Clues

Abstract

Purpose: Nasal cavity may contain wide variety of masses within, that differs this organ from the rest of the body. Primary nasal cavity masses consist of 0.2% - 0.8% of all malignancies. This paper aims to emphasize the main characteristics of different nasal cavity masses on cross-sectional images which may cause symptoms varying from simple nasal obstruction to metastatic invasion. We tried to solve the diagnostic bias by focusing on the special clues with the aid of the striking images caused by the same appearence of nasal cavity masses on cross-sectional radiologic images. Materials and Method: 66 retrospective dataset of patients (male: 35, female: 31, mean age: 43 years) were reviewed by the cross-sectional images. All cases had nasal passage obstruction and all cases had previously undergone maxillofacial imaging (computerized tomography, CT (n = 43); magnetic resonance imaging, MRI (n = 21); positron emmision tomography, PET/CT (n = 2)). Results: Totally, 48 benign and 18 malignant cases which have distinct pathologies were reviewed. All the lesions occupying space through the nasal cavity were demonstrated on cross-sectional images. With the typical cross-sectional images, an algoritm was made to help the differential diagnosis and presented as a scheme to presume the most feasible diagnosis. Conclusion: Sinunasal masses may have the worst prognosis on late diagnosis because of the probability of early invasion of the basicranial structures or cranial nerves. Verification of the neoplasm by the specific cross-sectional images, either benign or malignant, could be done at once.