Sinonasal inverted papilloma - malignant transformation and non-sinonasal malignancies

Tissue microRNA dynamics in sinonasal inverted papilloma: implications for pathology and therapy

Sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP) is a benign epithelial neoplasm of the Schneiderian membrane, known for its locally aggressive behavior, high recurrence rates, and potential for malignant transformation into sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC). Emerging evidence emphasizes the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenesis, progression, and clinical management of SNIP. These small non-coding RNAs regulate key cellular pathways, particularly the PTEN/PI3K/AKT axis, which governs tumor growth, apoptosis resistance, and chemoresistance. Among the miRNAs studied, miR-296-3p, miR-214-3p, and the miR-449 cluster show significant dysregulation. miR-296-3p is upregulated in SNSCC, promoting oncogenesis by inhibiting PTEN and activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Conversely, miR-214-3p is downregulated in SNIP and correlates with advanced disease and increased recurrence, identifying it as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. The miR-449 cluster, with known tumor-suppressive properties, is progressively downregulated during malignant transformation, highlighting its role in maintaining epithelial structure. Despite their promise, clinical application of miRNA-based diagnostics and therapies faces challenges such as delivery optimization, specificity, and off-target effects. Nonetheless, the noninvasive detection of circulating miRNAs in bodily fluids offers a compelling approach for future diagnostic tools and patient monitoring. This review highlights the transformative potential of miRNA research in advancing SNIP diagnosis and treatment. By integrating molecular insights into clinical practice, miRNA-based strategies could pave the way for more personalized interventions, ultimately reducing recurrence rates and preventing malignant transformation.

The importance of frozen section analysis in head, neck, and endocrine pathology

The diagnosis of head, neck, and endocrine (HNE) malignancies involves the correlation of histologic features with clinical and radiological findings and, ideally, in a multidisciplinary approach. Frozen section examination of HNE lesions from the oral cavity, sinonasal area, pharynx and larynx, salivary gland, or thyroid gland provides an immediate intraoperative evaluation for a tissue diagnosis, specimen margin assessment, tumor depth of invasion, and determining other important histologic features. Frozen sections of the salivary gland tumors help to differentiate benign from malignant and low-grade from high-grade tumors and evaluate lymph node involvement. Advances in diagnostic modalities, including updates in the WHO 5th edition, have enhanced pathologists' ability to navigate these challenging diagnoses. This review highlights the frequently encountered frozen section requests in daily HNE practice and discusses diagnostic challenges and differential diagnosis.

Clinical characteristics and recurrence predictors of sinonasal inverted papilloma: a retrospective cohort study

Objective

To investigate the clinical characteristics and predictors of postoperative recurrence in sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 53 SNIP patients treated at Zhengzhou University Hospital (2019-2023) was conducted. Patients were stratified into primary (n=34) and recurrent (n=19) cohorts. Clinical variables were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Smoking (OR=10.08, 95% CI=1.32-77.15), prior surgery (OR=17.26, 95% CI=2.69-110.76), and ipsilateral involvement (OR=7.79, 95% CI=1.05-57.99) emerged as independent recurrence predictors (P<0.05). Krouse staging (T3 vs. T1-T2) showed no significant association (P=0.198).

Conclusion

Comprehensive evaluation of smoking history, surgical history, and lesion laterality is critical for recurrence risk stratification in SNIP management.

Malignant transformation of sinonasal inverted papilloma invading the external nose: A case report and literature review

Sinonasal inverted papilloma (SIP) is a benign neoplasm of the nasal cavity and sinuses, with a certain risk of malignant transformation. The malignant transformation of SIP is uncommon, and the invasion of malignant tumors into the facial skin is even rarer. This report describes the case of a male patient in his 20 s who underwent two endoscopic resections for SIP in the nasal cavity within a 6-year period. Histopathological analysis during the second surgery revealed the malignant transformation of the tumor into squamous cell carcinoma. Despite receiving conventional postoperative radiotherapy, the tumor was not effectively controlled and had invaded the external nasal region. Following a multi-disciplinary team discussion, a treatment plan was established for tumor excision and simultaneous repair using a frontal musculocutaneous flap. The patient received chemotherapy and anti-EGFR therapy following surgery. Tumor recurrence was not observed during the 2-year postoperative follow-up period. The malignant transformation of SIP requires a comprehensive treatment strategy that includes surgical intervention, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Additionally, a thorough assessment and preparation are crucial before flap reconstruction if the tumor invades the external nasal structures and affects appearance.

Prediction of recurrence-free survival and risk factors of sinonasal inverted papilloma after surgery by machine learning models

OBJECTIVES

Our research aims to construct machine learning prediction models to identify patients proned to recurrence after inverted papilloma (IP) surgery and guide their follow-up treatment.

METHODS

This study collected 210 patients underwent IP resection surgery at a university hospital from January 2010 to December 2023. Six machine learning algorithms including ExtraSurvivalTrees (EST), GradientBoostingSurvivalAnalysis (GBSA), RandomSurvivalForest (RSF), SurvivalSVM, Coxnet and Coxph, were used to construct the prediction models. Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) values were used to explain the importance of various features in predicting IP recurrence.

RESULTS

We found that the recurrence rate of IP patients is 20.00%, with a median recurrence time of 35.5 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified mild or moderate dysplasia as an independent risk factor for recurrence. The EST model performs the best in predicting postoperative recurrence of IP, with C-index of 0.968 and 0.878 in the training and testing sets. SHAP emphasizes five important predictive factors for recurrence, including bone defects, orbital involvement, smoking, no processing of tumor attachment sites and drinking.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first study to use multiple ML models to predict postoperative recurrence of IP. The EST model has the best predictive performance, with SHAP emphasizing several key predictive factors for IP recurrence. This study emphasizes the practicality of machine learning algorithms in predicting IP clinical outcomes, providing valuable insights into the potential for improving clinical decision-making.

Utilizing radiomics for differential diagnosis of inverted papilloma and chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps based on unenhanced CT scans

To evaluate whether radiomics models based on unenhanced paranasal sinuses CT images could be a useful tool for differentiating inverted papilloma (IP) from chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps (CRSwNP). This retrospective study recruited 240 patients with CRSwNP and 106 patients with IP from three centers. 253 patients from Qilu Hospital were randomly divided into the training set (n = 151) and the internal validation set (n = 102) with a ratio of 6:4. 93 patients from the other two centers were used as the external validation set. The patients with the unilateral disease (n = 115) from Qilu Hospital were selected to further develop a subgroup analysis. Lesion segmentation was manually delineated in CT images. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm was performed for feature reduction and selection. Decision tree, support vector machine, random forest, and adaptive boosting regressor were employed to establish the differential diagnosis models. 43 radiomic features were selected for modeling. Among the models, RF achieved the best results, with an AUC of 0.998, 0.943, and 0.934 in the training set, the internal validation set, and the external validation set, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, RF achieved an AUC of 0.999 in the training set and 0.963 in the internal validation set. The proposed radiomics models offered a non-invasion and accurate differential approach between IP and CRSwNP and has some significance in guiding clinicians determining the best treatment plans, as well as predicting the prognosis.

Multiparametric MRI-based radiomics nomogram for predicting malignant transformation of sinonasal inverted papilloma

AIM

To investigate the feasibility of a radiomics nomogram model for predicting malignant transformation in sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) based on radiomic signature and clinical risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single institutional retrospective review included a total of 143 patients with IP and 75 patients with IP with malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma (IP-SCC). All patients underwent surgical pathology and had preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) sinus studies between June 2014 and February 2022. Radiomics features were extracted from contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (CE-T1WI), T2-weighted images (T2WI), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were performed to select the features extracted from the sequences mentioned above. Independent clinical risk factors were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Radiomics nomogram was constructed by incorporating independent clinical risk factors and radiomics signature. Based on discrimination and calibration, the diagnostic performance of the nomogram was evaluated.

RESULTS

Twelve radiomics features were selected to develop the radiomics model with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.987 and 0.989, respectively. Epistaxis (p=0.011), T2 equal signal (p=0.003), extranasal invasion (p<0.001), and loss of convoluted cerebriform pattern (p=0.002) were identified as independent clinical predictors. The radiomics nomogram model showed excellent calibration and discrimination (AUC: 0.993, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.985-1.00 and 0.990, 95% CI: 0.974-1.00) in the training and validation sets, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The nomogram that the combined radiomics signature and clinical risk factors showed a satisfactory ability to predict IP-SCC.

Surgical treatment of 186 sinonasal inverted papillomas and analysis of the immunohistochemical and molecular features associated with recurrences

INTRODUCTION

Inverted papillomas (IP) are benign epithelial tumors with a tendency to be locally invasive and with disposition to recur. The aim of our study is to present the results of IP treatment, considering pathological, immunohistochemical and molecular features of recurrence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From 1978 to 2020, 186 sinonasal IPs surgeries corresponding to 152 patients were treated in our center. We performed a pathology evaluation of all the recurrent cases reviewing the histological diagnosis, the presence of mixed component other than IP, the koilocytic changes, the p16 over expression and HPV-DNA detection.

RESULTS

Overall recurrence rate was 19 % (35/186). The 35 IP recurrences correspond to 22 patients, 9 of whom presented a single recurrence (single recurrence group) while 13 of them presented more than one recurrence (multi-recurrent group). Immunohistochemical analysis showed a higher percentage of p16 overexpression (54 % vs 33 % p = 0.415) and HPV-DNA presence (23 % vs 0 % p = 0.240) in the multi-recurrent group compared with single recurrence group. In addition, the revision showed more IP with exophytic papilloma focus (38 vs 22 % p = 0.648) and a higher proportion of IP with koilocytotic changes (61 % vs 22 % p = 0.099) in the multirecurrent group. There is no significant difference between groups in our results.

CONCLUSION

The analysis of our patients may differentiate between two groups with recurrent papillomas. A single recurrence group where the cause of recurrence is probably an anatomical problem related to an incomplete resection, and a second pattern, the multi-recurrence group, where HPV infection may be the main cause of recurrence.

International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal neoplasms, whether benign and malignant, pose a significant challenge to clinicians and represent a model area for multidisciplinary collaboration in order to optimize patient care. The International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors (ICSNT) aims to summarize the best available evidence and presents 48 thematic and histopathology-based topics spanning the field.

METHODS

In accordance with prior International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology documents, ICSNT assigned each topic as an Evidence-Based Review with Recommendations, Evidence-Based Review, and Literature Review based on the level of evidence. An international group of multidisciplinary author teams were assembled for the topic reviews using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses format, and completed sections underwent a thorough and iterative consensus-building process. The final document underwent rigorous synthesis and review prior to publication.

RESULTS

The ICSNT document consists of four major sections: general principles, benign neoplasms and lesions, malignant neoplasms, and quality of life and surveillance. It covers 48 conceptual and/or histopathology-based topics relevant to sinonasal neoplasms and masses. Topics with a high level of evidence provided specific recommendations, while other areas summarized the current state of evidence. A final section highlights research opportunities and future directions, contributing to advancing knowledge and community intervention.

CONCLUSION

As an embodiment of the multidisciplinary and collaborative model of care in sinonasal neoplasms and masses, ICSNT was designed as a comprehensive, international, and multidisciplinary collaborative endeavor. Its primary objective is to summarize the existing evidence in the field of sinonasal neoplasms and masses.

The choice of endoscopic surgical approach and four steps of operation of inverted papilloma of the maxillary sinus

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the long-term efficacy of four steps of operation on the treatment of maxillary sinus (MS) inverted papilloma (IP).

METHODS

83 patients who were diagnosed with IP that originated from the MS, underwent four step procedure of attachment sites, including mucosal stripping, periosteum ablation, bone drilling and bone ablation and had postoperative follow-up of 3 years were enrolled.

RESULTS

Of the 83 patients, 59 (71.1%) patients were primary surgery and revision surgery in 24 (28.9%), single attachment was in 31(37.3%) patients and multifocal attachments in 52 (62.7%).When the numbers were not mutually exclusive, the most common origin sites of IPs were the medial wall in 54 (37.2%), lateral wall in 29 (20.0%), anterior wall in 18 (12.4%), inferior wall in 22 (15.2%), posterior in 15 (10.3%), and superior wall in 7 (4.8%). Large MMA alone was performed in 5 (6.0%), MMA combined with medial maxillectomy 76 (91.6%), and MMA combined with Caldwell-Luc approach in 2 (2.4%). No major intra- or postoperative complications were observed. The average follow-up was 41 months (range, 37-61 months). CT and endoscope showed that tumor and symptom recurrence occurred in 2 patients (2.41%). In addition, although the opening of antrostomy was closed and CT revealed the uniform soft tissue shadow and hyperostosis of MS in 11(13.3%) patients, they didn't report any symptoms and showed well epithelization of middle meatus mucosa.

CONCLUSION

The four steps of operations of attachment sites of MS IP, including mucosal stripping, periosteum ablation, bone drilling and bone ablation, may effectively prevent the recurrence of MS IP.