CASE 138 Published on 27.11.1999

Sinonasal tumor

Section

Head & neck imaging

Case Type

Clinical Cases

Authors

R Sigal, F Janot

Patient

54 years, male

Categories
No Area of Interest ; Imaging Technique CT, MR
Clinical History
Chronic nasal obtruction
Imaging Findings
Middle age patient with chronic nasal obtruction. Physical examination evidenced a mass in the nasal fossa. MR was requested. The patient was operated, and histologic diagnosis was obtained.
Discussion
Cancer of the nasal acavity and paranasal sinuses is relatively rare, ocurs more often in men (2:1) and usually appears after 40 years, (except minor salivary gland origin, lymphoma, or esthesioneuroblastoma). Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type, followed by adenocarcinoma. These tumors have a propensity to grow slowly, insidiously towards the anterior skull base and orbit. Imaging is essential since it allows a precise tumor mapping, a key element for therapeutic planning. CT allows to visualize the bony structures, particularly the internal orbital wall and cribriborm plate. MR permits to differentiate between the tumor, which most often is seen as a T2 weighted low signal intensity area, and inflammatory tissue which shows up bright. In addition it can displays meningeal and intracerebral involvement. MR information can help selecting the correct surgical approach, particularly a combined neurosurgical-ENT approach if the anterior cranial fossa has to be removed.
Differential Diagnosis List
Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity and left maxillary sinus
Final Diagnosis
Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity and left maxillary sinus
Case information
URL: https://eurorad.org/case/138
DOI: 10.1594/EURORAD/CASE.138
ISSN: 1563-4086