A clinicopathological study of nasal and paranasal sinus tumours

Introduction: A variety of benign and malignant tumours involving the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (PNS) are commonly encountered in clinical practice. The presenting features and symptomatology of all sinonasal masses are similar. It is impossible to determine clinically what pathology lies underneath. So a detailed history, clinical examination, proper imaging, and thorough histopathologic evaluation are essential to reach a diagnosis. Objectives The purpose of this study was to classify various types of Benign and malignant lesions presenting as nasal and paranasal mass and characterize their clinico-pathological profile in a tertiary care center. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study where 120 cases of nasal and paranasal masses were included over a period of 24 months (sep 2013-sep 2015) Clinico-pathological study was carried out in these cases. A provisional diagnosis was made after clinical assessment and radiologic investigations, but final diagnosis was made after histopathologic examination. Results: The number of benign lesions were more than the malignant lesion, 66.66% versus 33.33% respectively. All age groups were involved and the mean age of presentation was benign tumours 29.5 years and malignant tumours 50.25 years. Male to Female ratio was 3:1 for benign tumours and 1.7:1 for malignant tumours. In our study, among benign lesions the occurrence of Angiofibroma was highest seen in 37.5% cases. In malignant lesions, Squamous cell carcinoma was most common seen in 67.5% cases. Carcinoma nasal cavity was the commonest malignant lesion seen in 70% cases. Nasal obstruction was the most common (91.6%) presenting complaint followed by intermittent epistaxis (69.16%) and nasal discharge (58.3%). Conclusion: We concluded that for proper evaluation of a sinonasal mass, clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic evaluation should be carried out conjointly in all the cases. Histopathology always gives a confirmatory diagnosis but in few cases immuno-histocytochemistry becomes the ultimate diagnostic technique for correct and timely intervention.