Nasal Chondromesenchymal Hamartoma

The Histological Spectrum of DICER1-Associated Neoplasms

DICER1 syndrome is a heterogeneous cancer predisposition syndrome, characterized by a large variety of benign and malignant tumor types, and caused by germline heterozygous pathogenic variants in the DICER1 gene, which is essential in miRNA processing and RNA interference. The clinical manifestations are diverse, with pleuropulmonary blastoma, Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor, cystic nephroma, uterine cervical embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, and thyroid follicular nodular disease being the most prevalent tumor types. Since these neoplasms are rare and particularly occur in the pediatric population, pathologists should be aware of the potential relationship of these tumors with an underlying DICER1 syndrome in order to perform or suggest additional molecular pathologic analysis and refer patients and their parents for genetic counseling and testing. This review describes the various DICER1-related tumor types with emphasis on the histological features, reflects on the molecular pathogenesis of DICER1, and aims to raise awareness of this syndrome to facilitate earlier diagnosis.

Uncommon Nasal Mass Presentation: A Radiological Case Series

Background: Nasal and paranasal sinus masses can arise from a wide range of conditions, both benign and malignant, as well as congenital or acquired. Diagnosing these masses is often challenging, requiring a combination of nasal endoscopy, imaging studies, and histopathological analysis. Initial imaging frequently involves computed tomography or cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to evaluate the bony anatomy of the nasal cavity and surrounding sinuses, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is typically used for detailed assessment of soft tissues and to aid in differential diagnosis when the findings are inconclusive. Methods: This review examines nasal masses evaluated using CT, CBCT, and MRI, highlighting key imaging features that may assist in differential diagnosis. Results: For non-neoplastic lesions, examples include conditions such as rhinoliths, inverted mesiodens, and septal mucoceles. Benign and borderline tumors discussed encompass lobular capillary hemangioma, inverted papilloma, septal osteoma, chondromesenchymal hamartoma, hemangioma, hemangiopericytoma, antrochoanal polyp, sinonasal angiofibroma, ossifying fibroma, and lipoma. Malignant tumors addressed in this review include adenocarcinoma, esthesioneuroblastoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma, and sarcoma. Conclusions: Diagnosing nasal lesions represent a significant challenge for otolaryngologists. Imaging characteristics of nasal masses play a crucial role in narrowing down differential diagnoses before surgery. However, nasal endoscopy combined with biopsy remains the definitive diagnostic approach.

DICER1 Tumor Syndrome: A Retrospective Review and Future Perspectives

DICER1 syndrome, a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder, stems from mutations in the DICER1 gene, disrupting RNA interference and leading to various tumors. These tumors, affecting organs like the lung, kidney, ovaries, and brain, pose diagnostic challenges due to diverse presentations. Understanding DICER1-associated tumors, including pleuropulmonary blastoma, ovarian Sertoli–Leydig cell tumors, and others, is vital for early detection and management. Surgical resection, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies are primary treatment modalities, with genetic counseling playing a crucial role. Multidisciplinary care is essential for optimal management, offering hope for improved outcomes in affected individuals.

Pathogenic Somatic Mutation of DICER1 and Clinicopathological Features in Nasal Chondromesenchymal Hamartomas: A Series of Nine Cases

Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma (NCMH) is a rare benign polypoid mesenchymal tumor arising in the nasal cavity and/or paranasal sinuses. Recognizing these sporadic, rare lesions is crucial, as surgical complete removal of the mass is the common treatment approach. This retrospective study analyzed the demographics, symptoms, and imaging data of 9 patients diagnosed with NCMH between January 2017 and June 2023, possibly representing the largest single-center adult case cohort to date. Diagnostic techniques included nasal endoscopy, CT/MRI scan, immunohistological studies, and morphologic comparisons. Pathologic specimens were subjected to Sanger sequencing of exons 24 and 25 of DICER1. The average age of 9 cases was 24.4 years, and the oldest was 55 years. Four of the patients were children, ranging from 1 year old to 11 years old, with an average of 4.5 years. Nasal congestion is the most common registered symptom. Endoscopic findings showed that most patients had smooth pink neoplasms or polypoid masses in the nasal meatus. Radiologic scanning revealed soft-tissue density masses that occupied the nasal cavity. Histologically, the characteristic structure of NCMHs is immature cellular cartilage nodules and mature cartilage nodules distributed in a loose mucoid matrix. Five of the 9 patients had somatic DICER1 missense mutations. Four of the patients with DICER1-mutated NCMH exhibited a p.E1813 missense hotspot mutation. We also report a case of a rare p.P1836H missense mutation. The detected DICER1 somatic mutations provide compelling evidence of an association with the DICER1 tumor family. We emphasize the importance of pathologic consultation and the need for pathologists to accumulate experience in NCMH diagnosis to avoid misdiagnosis.

[Neonatal cervical chondromesenchymal hamartoma: a case report and literature review]

Cartilage mesenchyme hamartoma originates from the mesoderm and contains a blend of interstitium and cartilage, which is mostly benign tumor and is a non-neoplastic cartilage lesion with self-limiting hyperplasia. This article reports a infant with cervical chondromesenchymal hamartoma in the neck, the main clinical manifestations of which are asphyxia and acute respiratory distress, and the imaging features are often similar to those of malignant tumors.Radical resection operation under general anesthesia is the main treatment method, and the postoperative pathological diagnosis was cartilage mesenchyme, and immunohistochemistry showed Catenin（-）,MDM2（+）,CDK4（-）,H3K36M（+）,Myogenin （-）,SMA （-）.The clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment process of this case are reported and related literature is reviewed.

Pediatric nasal chondromesenchymal hamartomas: a case series

PURPOSE

Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartomas (NCMH) are rare, predominantly benign tumors of the sinonasal tract. The distinction from higher grade malignancy may be challenging based on imaging features alone. To increase the awareness of this entity among radiologists, we present a multi-institutional case series of pediatric NCMH patients showing the varied imaging presentation.

METHODS

Descriptive assessment of imaging appearances of the lesions on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. In addition, we reviewed demographic information, clinical data, results of genetic testing, management, and follow-up data.

RESULTS

Our case series consisted of 10 patients, with a median age of 0.5 months. Intraorbital and intracranial extensions were both observed in two cases. Common CT findings included bony remodeling, calcifications, and bony erosions. MRI showed heterogeneous expansile lesion with predominantly hyperintense T2 signal and heterogenous post-contrast enhancement in the majority of cases. Most lesions exhibited increased diffusivity on diffusion weighted imaging and showed signal drop-out on susceptibility weighted images in the areas of calcifications. Genetic testing was conducted in 4 patients, revealing the presence of DICER1 pathogenic variant in three cases. Surgery was performed in all cases, with one recurrence in two cases and two recurrences in one case on follow-up.

CONCLUSION

NCMHs are predominantly benign tumors of the sinonasal tract, typically associated with DICER1 pathogenic variants and most commonly affecting pediatric population. They may mimic aggressive behavior on imaging; therefore, awareness of this pathology is important. MRI and CT have complementary roles in the diagnosis of this entity.

Chondromesenchymal Hamartoma With Nasopharyngeal Involvement: Two Unusual Cases of an Extremely Rare Lesion

Chondromesenchymal hamartoma (CMH) is a rare, benign lesion of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and skull base, composed of islands of hyaline cartilage in a myxoid background. The vast majority of CMH cases are infants and young children. According to the world literature, nasopharyngeal involvement of CMH is extremely rare. In all cases, the lesions were masses protruding from the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses to the nasopharynx. We hereby report 2 adult male patients with masses completely situated in the nasopharyngeal space. In the first patient, the tumor originated from the posterior edge of the nasal septum and in the second one, from the posterolateral wall of the nasopharynx, adjacent to the pharyngeal orifice of the Eustachian tube. In both patients, the lesion was excised endoscopically, and histopathological analyses were consistent with a diagnosis of CMH. To our knowledge, those are the only cases of CMH completely situated in the nasopharynx.

Sinonasal Hamartomas: From Nasal Chondromesenchymal Hamartoma to Respiratory Epithelial Adenomatoid Hamartoma. Report of six Cases and Review of the Literature

Sinonasal hamartomas are uncommon lesions of nasal and sinus cavities. Based on indigenous cellular components and characteristic histologic features, they are further classified into four entities: respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (REAH), seromucinous hamartoma (SH), chondro-osseous and respiratory epithelial hamartoma (CORE), and nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma (NCH). REAH, SH, and CORE are seen in adult patients, while NCH predominantly occurs in newborns and infants. Morphologically REAH and SH are composed of respiratory epithelium and seromucinous glands, CORE is related to REAH but with additional feature of chondroid and/or osseous tissue, and NCH is composed of chondroid and stromal elements but devoid of epithelial component. All four lesions can present as sinonasal mass lesions and with associated obstructive symptoms. Given the rarity of these lesions, diagnosis can be challenging, especially in unusual clinical scenario. In this study, we report six cases of sinonasal hamartoma, including one case of NCH, one case of CORE, two cases of SH, and two cases of REAH. All cases were from adult patients including four men and two women. We also review the literature of the clinical and pathologic features of these rare lesions.

Imaging features of cartilaginous tumors of the head and neck

There is a wide spectrum of head and neck cartilaginous lesions which include both neoplastic and nonneoplastic processes. Cartilaginous tumors of the head and neck are uncommon, posing a diagnostic challenge. Benign cartilaginous tumors that may occur in the head and neck include chondroma, chondroblastoma, chondromyxoid fibroma, osteochondroma, and synovial chondromatosis. Chondromesenchymal hamartoma is a rare non-neoplastic cartilaginous lesion that is included for the 1first time in the new WHO classification and radiologically can mimic a tumor. Malignant cartilaginous tumors include chondrosarcoma and chondroid variant of chordoma. Characteristic tumor locations, internal chondroid matrix calcification, and typical T2 hyperintense signal secondary to high-water content within the extracellular matrix of the hyaline cartilage are useful imaging features that narrow the differential diagnosis and help in diagnosing these diseases. This article presents a narrative review of the anatomy of the head and neck cartilaginous structures, discusses the current knowledge and imaging spectrum of benign and malignant cartilaginous tumors and tumor-like lesions of the head and neck.

DICER1 tumor predisposition syndrome: an evolving story initiated with the pleuropulmonary blastoma

DICER1 syndrome (OMIM 606241, 601200) is a rare autosomal dominant familial tumor predisposition disorder with a heterozygous DICER1 germline mutation. The most common tumor seen clinically is the pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB), a lung neoplasm of early childhood which is classified on its morphologic features into four types (IR, I, II and III) with tumor progression over time within the first 4-5 years of life from the prognostically favorable cystic type I to the unfavorable solid type III. Following the initial report of PPB, its association with other cystic neoplasms was demonstrated in family studies. The detection of the germline mutation in DICER1 provided the opportunity to identify and continue to recognize a number seemingly unrelated extrapulmonary neoplasms: Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor, gynandroblastoma, embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas of the cervix and other sites, multinodular goiter, differentiated and poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma, cervical-thyroid teratoma, cystic nephroma-anaplastic sarcoma of kidney, nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma, intestinal juvenile-like hamartomatous polyp, ciliary body medulloepithelioma, pituitary blastoma, pineoblastoma, primary central nervous system sarcoma, embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes-like cerebellar tumor, PPB-like peritoneal sarcoma, DICER1-associated presacral malignant teratoid neoplasm and other non-neoplastic associations. Each of these neoplasms is characterized by a second somatic mutation in DICER1. In this review, we have summarized the salient clinicopathologic aspects of these tumors whose histopathologic features have several overlapping morphologic attributes particularly the primitive mesenchyme often with rhabdomyoblastic and chondroid differentiation and an uncommitted spindle cell pattern. Several of these tumors have an initial cystic stage from which there is progression to a high grade, complex patterned neoplasm. These pathologic findings in the appropriate clinical setting should serve to alert the pathologist to the possibility of a DICER1-associated neoplasm and initiate appropriate testing on the neoplasm and to alert the clinician about the concern for a DICER1 mutation.

A Rare Cause of Respiratory Distress in Newborn: Huge Nasal Chondromesenchymal Hamartoma; Patient Report

ABSTRACT

Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma is a rare benign tumor of the sinonasal tract in pediatrics and only few cases in infantile, early pediatric, and adolescent population have been reported. Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma commonly presents as respiratory difficulty, intranasal mass, or facial swelling and typically arises from the nasal septum or vestibule, lest frequently maxillary or ethmoid sinuses, orbit, nasopharynx, and oropharynx. The authors report a case of nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma that caused respiratory distress since birth, in a 4-week-old (28 days) infant which was arised from the medial aspect of the middle turbinate, an unexpected localization.