Pleomorphic adenoma of the nasal septum

Abstract

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumour of the salivary glands. The major salivary glands are most commonly involved, or more rarely accessory salivary glands, especially the oral cavity. Other locations, such as the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses or upper aerodigestive tract, are exceptional. A 26-year-old female presented with right-sided nasal obstruction. Radiology found a lesion involving the anterior third of the nasal septum. The patient underwent complete surgical resection of the tumour via an endonasal approach. Histological examination found a mixed cellular component (epithelial and myoepithelial) and mesenchymatous tissue with chondromyxoid stroma, enabling diagnosis of a typical pleomorphic adenoma. Pleomorphic adenoma is exceptional in the nasal cavity, with only a few cases reported in the literature. Although benign, the risk of local recurrence, malignant transformation and metastasis requires close long-term follow-up.