Masses of nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx: A clinicopathological study

Diagnostic accuracy of clinical visual assessment using endoscopic images for nasal cavity mass lesions

Objectives: Discrimination of nasal cavity lesions using nasal endoscopy is challenging because of the differences in clinical manifestations and treatment strategies. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of clinical visual assessment (CVA) of nasal cavity masses using endoscopic images and determine whether there is a difference according to pathologic class and the examiners' experience. Methods: We collected pathologically confirmed endoscopic images of normal findings, nasal polyp (NP), benign tumor, and malignant tumor (each class contained 100 images) randomly selected. Eighteen otolaryngologists, including six junior residents, six senior residents, and six board-certified rhinologists classified the test set images into four classes of lesions by CVA. Diagnostic performance according to the pathologic class and the examiner's experience level was evaluated based on overall accuracy, F1-score, confusion matrix, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: Diagnostic performance was significantly different according to the pathological class of nasal cavity mass lesions with the overall accuracy reported high in the order of normal, NP, benign tumor, and malignant tumor (0.926 ± 0.100; 0.819 ± 0.135; 0.580 ± 0.112; 0.478 ± 0.187, respectively), F1 score (0.937 ± 0.076; 0.730 ± 0.093; 0.549 ± 0.080; 0.554 ± 0.146, respectively) and AUC value (0.96 ± 0.06; 0.84 ± 0.07; 0.70 ± 0.05; 0.71 ± 0.08, respectively). The expert rhinologist group achieved higher overall accuracy than the resident group (0.756 ± 0.157 vs. 0.680 ± 0.239, p < .05). Conclusion: CVA for nasal cavity mass was highly dependent on the pathologic class and examiner's experience. The overall accuracy was reliably high for normal findings, but low in classifying benign and malignant tumors. Differential diagnosis of lesions solely based on nasal endoscopic evaluation is challenging. Therefore, clinicians should consider further clinical evaluation for suspicious cases.

Sino-orbital metastasis as the initial presentation of advanced breast cancer

A woman in her 70s presented with reduced vision in her left eye, progressive narrowing of right eye opening for 6 months and anosmia. On examination, she had right enophthalmos and pseudoptosis with inferior globe dystopia. Her visual acuity was 6/9 and nil light perception in the right and left eyes, respectively. Extraocular muscle examination showed limited right up gaze. Funduscopy showed a normal right optic disc and left optic disc atrophy. Systemic examination revealed left breast ulceration with skin tethering. CT revealed an infiltrative mass invading the ethmoidal sinuses, frontal sinuses and both orbits. A histological diagnosis of infiltrative ductal breast carcinoma was made after nasal endoscopic and left breast biopsy. She underwent palliative chemoradiotherapy and survived with good disease control after 1 year. Metastatic carcinoma is a differential diagnosis of a sino-orbital mass, and comprehensive clinical assessment is indicated for all patients presenting with non-acute eye injury.

Sinonasal mass lesions: A clinicopathological study with p63 and p16 immunohistochemical expressions

Introduction

The worldwide annual incidence of carcinomas of the sinonasal tract is 0.5 to 1.0 patients per 100,000 per year. P63 plays a role in epithelial development and is used as a marker for basal and myoepithelial cells. Expression of p16 occurs as a result of functional inactivation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) by the human papilloma virus (HPV) E7 protein.

Aims

This study aims to study the histological spectrum of benign and malignant sinonasal mass lesions and to study the immunohistochemical expression of p63 in different type of sinonasal mass lesions. It also aims to ascertain the incidence of high-risk HPV in primary sinonasal mass lesions with p16 immunohistochemistry and delineate the histological spectrum of HPV-related sinonasal lesions.

Materials and Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 cases from June 2018 to June 2020 at a tertiary care hospital. Clinical history including demographic parameters were collected in the study proforma. The gross findings of the specimens noted and histopathological examination by H&E staining done. Immunohistochemistry staining for p63 and p16 expression was performed on all cases.

Results

Most common age group affected was 41-60 years with male:female ratio of 1.67:1. Nonneoplastic lesions (38.7%) comprised majority of the cases followed by benign neoplastic lesions (31.3%) and malignant neoplastic lesions (30%). Among the malignant neoplastic lesions, p63 showed positive expression in 75% (p = 0.005) and p16 showed positive expression in 41.7% (p = 0.023). Among benign and nonneoplastic lesions, p63 showed positivity in 21.4% (p = 0.000) and p16 showed positivity in 44.6% (p = 0.040).

Conclusion

We analyzed p63 and p16 expression in varied lineages like carcinomas, papillomas, and neuroectodermal differentiation arising from the sinonasal tract and also in relation to other clinicopathological parameters. This study revealed p63 expression was associated more with the squamous cell carcinomas and nasopharyngeal carcinomas. Sinonasal tract malignancies are also associated with HPV infections that are identifiable by p16 immunostaining and, thus, could provide new prospects in identifying any definite biological and clinical characteristics associated with HPV as well as advancement in the targeted therapies for this patient population.

Clinicopathological Challenges in Tumors of the Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses: Our Experience

Background and objective

Nasal and paranasal lesions are one of the most common otorhinolaryngological presentations encountered in clinical practice. Common presenting symptoms of these lesion range from nasal blockades, facial swellings, pain, nasal discharge, and epistaxis to orbital and ear symptoms. Diagnosis can be tricky as these symptoms are common in inflammatory conditions and tumors. The aim of our study was to observe the epidemiology and clinical pathological findings in patients with nasal and paranasal masses presenting to our institute and discuss the challenges in proper diagnosis and management due to similar presentations, and the role of histopathological examination (HPE) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in overcoming these challenges.

Methods

The IPD records of 396 patients were taken up for the study. All the specimens were sent in 10% neutral buffered formalin for examination as biopsy for diagnosis or after surgical excision. After adequate fixation, the biopsy specimen was submitted for routine processing, followed by paraffin embedding, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Special stains like periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stains for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) were used as required. IHC was performed in the required samples. IHC markers were performed on representative paraffin-embedded sections according to the streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique as needed. The findings were noted, and histology was correlated with clinical presentations and investigations, tabulated, and statistically analyzed using SPSS Statistics (IBM, Armonk, NY).

Results

Of note, 67.92%% were non-neoplastic lesions whereas 18.18% came out to be benign neoplasms and 13.88% were malignant lesions on HPE. Nasal obstruction was the most common presenting symptom (73.23% of patients) followed by nasal mass (64.14% of cases). Inflammatory sinonasal polyps were the most prominent cases in our study, accounting for 41.16% of all lesions; 18.68% fungal RS (mucormycosis) were seen in our study and 4.54% were cases of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA). The majority of benign neoplasms encountered were Schneiderian papilloma or inverted papilloma (06.81%). Eighteen (4.54%) cases of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) were seen in our study and 2.77% (n=11) cases were of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Of 18 cases of SCC, moderately differentiated SCC carcinoma accounted for 10 cases followed by poorly differentiated SCC (5/18) and nonkeratinizing SCC (3/18). IHC for p40 was performed in all the cases of nonkeratinizing SCC, which showed strong and diffuse nuclear positivity.

Conclusion

The nasal cavity is the site of the most varied presentation of tumors in the upper respiratory tract. Mass in the nose and paranasal sinus (PNS) form a heterogeneous group of lesions with varied histopathological features. The proximity of the area to the eyes and brain warrants early definitive diagnosis so that the lesion is treated before it can involve important and vital centers. Even though malignant nasal tumors have a very low incidence, they cause a lot of morbidity due to their long course and frequent local recurrences. Nasal tumors tend to become polypoidal. Epithelioid papilloma of the nasal cavity often resembles a nasal polyp. Clinical diagnosis can be challenging due to similar presentations and appearances, and hence histological examination is a vital tool for the timely diagnosis of such patients.

Clinicopathologic profile of sinonasal neoplasia in Kano, Northwestern Nigeria: A 10-year single-institution experience

Background

Sinonasal neoplasia comprises approximately 3% of all head-and-neck tumors. However, the incidence of these tumors may be greater in some parts of the world including Asia and Africa.

Aim and Objective

The study aimed to review the clinical and histopathological pattern of sinonasal neoplasms in Kano, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods

The records of patients managed for sinonasal neoplasia at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, over a period of 10 years were reviewed. Information obtained from the case files included demographic characteristics, tumor characteristics, and clinical information. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 23.

Results

A total of 245 patients were reviewed with sinonasal neoplasms. Among these, 168 (68.57%) were males, with a sex ratio (M:F) of 2.18:1. The mean age was 40.2 ± 18.9 years. Malignant sinonasal neoplasm constituted 55.92%% of the sinonasal neoplasia, with peak age at the fifth decade. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological subtypes seen in 50.36% of the patients. Inverted papilloma was the most common benign sinonasal neoplasia (42.59%). The most common symptom presented by the patients was nasal obstruction (77.55%), mostly presented within 6 months of onset of symptoms (63.67%), and farmers were the predominant (27.76%). The most common treatment modality was surgical extirpation (54%), and most of the patients presented with Stage IV disease (88%). The site of tumor was found to statistically correlate with the type of tumor among the patients (P ≤ 0.0001), whereas the type of tumor and site of tumor correlated significantly with the duration of symptoms before the presentation.

Conclusion

Malignant sinonasal disease is the predominant sinonasal neoplasm in this environment, and most of the patients presented with advanced disease.

Ten years of experience in clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment and outcome of patients with nasopharyngeal pathologies in Yazd, Iran

Introduction

Although there are some studies regarding the clinical characteristics and outcome of nasopharyngeal tumors, one such study from Iran has not been reported to date. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features, treatment, and consequences of nasopharyngeal lesions.

Methods

In this cross sectional study, we conducted a retrospective review of patients who were diagnosed with nasopharyngeal pathologies and treated at Shahid Sadoughi Hospital and Shahid Ramazanzadeh Radiotherapy Center in Yazd, Iran, over a period of 10 years (from 2005 to 2014). The variables in the study were the patient’s hospital registration number, date, name, age, gender, address, topography, clinical symptoms, morphology, stage, types of treatment, and survival for each subject. Survival data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimates, and multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox regression method. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM-SPSS, version 22.

Results

In the study, there were 123 patients, 85 males and 38 females, who had nasopharyngeal lesions. The mean age at diagnosis was 41.51 ± 20.33 years. There were 83 patients with malignant neoplasms and 40 patients with non-malignant lesions. The most common malignant tumor was nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and the most common benign lesion was angiofibroma. Survival analysis was performed for the 83 patients who had malignant neoplasms, and survival was found to be 94.5 ± 4.32 months. There were significant differences in survival based on the stage of the disease, histological type, and the type of treatment (p = 0.001, 0.02, and 0.003, respectively).

Conclusion

In our institutional study, malignant tumors were more common than benign lesions. Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma presented relatively late and at an advanced stage. Regular follow-up is necessary for early detection, recurrence, or metastases of malignant tumors.

Sinonasal Mass-a Recent Study of Its Clinicopathological Profile

A variety of non-neoplastic and neoplastic conditions involving the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses (PNS), and nasopharynx are commonly encountered in clinical practice. The objectives of the study were to identify various pathological conditions that present with sinus or nasal mass, to understand their varied clinical behavior, to know the distribution of various lesions among the different age and sex groups, and to study the management of sinonasal masses and its outcome on follow-up. A prospective study was carried out from September 2013 to August 2015, in the Otorhinolaryngology Department of Hi-Tech Medical College & Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The study included patients of any age and sex presenting with nasal symptoms (suspected of a sinonasal mass). This study included all cases seen during the above duration. Complete history was taken and full clinical examination was carried out. Majority of the patients with sinonasal masses were in the age group 41-50 years. Male:female ratio was about 1.2:1. Nasal obstruction was the most common presentation. Most common non-neoplastic lesion was rhinosporidosis and most common benign lesion was hemangioma. Most common malignant lesion was maxillary carcinoma. The presenting features of all sinonasal lesions may be indistinguishable and pose diagnostic dilemma. Correlation of clinical, radiologic, and most importantly pathologic modalities is of utmost importance for accurate diagnosis.

Evaluation of Sinonasal Diseases by Computed Tomography

INTRODUCTION

Computed Tomography (CT) plays an important diagnostic role in patients with sinonasal diseases and determines the treatment. The CT images clearly show fine structural architecture of bony anatomy thereby determining various anatomical variation, extent of disease and characterization of various inflammatory, benign and malignant sinonasal diseases.

AIM

To evaluate sensitivity and specificity of CT in diagnosis of sinonasal diseases and to characterise the benign and malignant lesions with the help of various CT parameters. Also, to correlate findings of CT with histo-pathological and diagnostic nasal endoscopy/ Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) findings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this hospital based prospective study 175 patients with symptomatic sinonasal diseases were evaluated by clinical diagnosis and 16 slice Multi Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT). The details of findings of nasal endoscopy, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), histopathological examination and fungal culture were collected in all those cases where those investigations were done. All those findings were correlated with CT findings and statistical analysis was done by using Test statistics (sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive Value (NPV) and accuracy), Chi-Square test and Z-test for single proportions. Software used in the analysis was SPSS 17.0 version and graph pad prism 6.0 version and p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

CT diagnosis had higher sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV in diagnosing various sinonasal diseases in comparison to clinical diagnosis. On correlating CT diagnosis with final diagnosis, congenital conditions have 100% sensitivity and specificity. Chronic sinusitis has 98.3% sensitivity and 97.8% specificity. For fungal sinusitis the sensitivity was 60% and specificity was 99.3%. Polyps have sensitivity of 94.4% and specificity of 98.1%. Benign neoplasms have sensitivity of 90.9% and specificity of 99.2%, malignant neoplasms have sensitivity of 94.1% and specificity of 99.3%. The p-value in all instances was <0.05, i.e. <0.0001 indicating the significance of the findings.

CONCLUSION

CT is the modality of choice in imaging the sinonasal region for evaluating various congenital, inflammatory, benign and malignant pathologies and associated complications thereby planning the further management of the patient. CT is the best modality of choice for evaluating the bone erosion or destruction. The potential pitfalls to differentiate on CT are fungal sinusitis and dense secretions.

Clinico-pathological Study of Space Occupying Lesions of Nasal Cavity, Paranasal Sinuses and Nasopharynx

BACKGROUND

A variety of non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions of nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx are commonly encountered in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to study clinical and histopathological profile of space occupying lesions of nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx in a tertiary care hospital of Rajasthan over the period of January 2013 to January 2014.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a prospective study of 147 cases (male 100, female 47; age group ranging from less than 1 y to 76 y) of space occupying lesions of nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx over the period of 12 months (from January 2013 to January 2014). All tissues after fixation in 10% buffered formalin, processed and then stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin to study various histopathological patterns.

RESULTS

These 147 cases were broadly categorized in two categories, one category as nasal and paranasal sinus masses and the other as nasopharyngeal masses with 91 and 56 cases, respectively. These lesions were common in second and third decades of life with male predominance. Among nasal and paranasal sinus masses, there were 67 (73.6%) non-neoplastic and 24 (26.4%) neoplastic lesions. Inflammatory polyps (89.5%) were the most common among the non-neoplastic masses; Inverted papilloma (45.46%) the most common among the benign neoplastic and squamous cell carcinoma (46.15%) was the commonest out of all malignant masses. Out of 56 nasopharyngeal masses, there were 53 (94.6%) non neoplastic and 3 (5.4%) neoplastic lesions. Majority of these i.e. 52 cases were of adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that complete clinical, radiological and histopathological correlation helps us to categorize these sinonasal lesions into various non-neoplastic and neoplastic types. But final histopathological examination provides a confirmatory diagnosis, although Immunohistochemistry is the final diagnostic method in few cases.

Clinico-pathological profile of sinonasal masses: An experience in tertiary care hospital of Uttarakhand

Background:

The purpose of this study was to classify various types of non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions presenting as sinonasal mass and characterize their clinico-pathological profile in a tertiary care center in the state of Uttarakhand.

Materials and Methods:

This was a prospective study where 110 cases of sinonasal masses were included over a period of 12 months. 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.

Observations:

The number of non-neoplastic lesions were more than the neoplastic lesion, 60% versus 40% respectively. In the neoplastic group, 19.8% and 23.76% patients presented with benign and malignant lesion, respectively. The incidence was more predominant in the age group of 11-20 years (22.72%) with male to female ratio of 1.08:1. In our study, among non-neoplastic lesions the occurrence of sinonasal polyps was highest seen in 80.30% cases. In neoplastic lesions, angiofibroma was most common benign lesion seen in 35% cases. Carcinoma nasal cavity was the commonest malignant lesion seen in 45.83% cases. In 3.63% patients, clinical and radiologic diagnosis was not correlated with histopathologic diagnosis. Only two cases required immuno-histocytochemistry to confirm the final diagnosis.

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.