[Extra-nasopharyngeal extensions of angiofibroma]

Orbital involvement in juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: prevalence and treatment

PURPOSE

To assess the prevalence of orbital invasion by juvenile nasoangiofibroma and to discuss its surgical treatment.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the medical records and tomographic scans of a case series of 19 patients with juvenile nasoangiofibroma was performed. All scans were reviewed by a radiologist and an orbital surgeon. The presence of the tumor was assessed in the pterygopalatine fossa, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses, inferior orbital fissure, orbit, and middle cranial fossa.

RESULTS

The most common structures invaded were pterygopalatine fossa (100%), nasal cavity (94.7%), sphenoid sinus (84.2%), and nasopharynx (73.7%). The orbit was invaded in 6 (31.6%) patients. In 5 of these patients, the tumor extended in the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure. Four patients with orbital invasion were successfully operated with the Le Fort I approach.

CONCLUSIONS

Orbital involvement is relatively common in the setting of juvenile nasoangiofibroma extension. The main route of orbital invasion is the inferior orbital fissure. The Le Fort I osteotomy is an adequate approach for managing juvenile nasoangiofibroma when it invades the orbit.

The role of radiation in the treatment of advanced juvenile angiofibroma

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To demonstrate the efficacy of external beam radiation therapy as a primary treatment modality for the management of patients with advanced juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

METHODS

The medical records of 130 patients with the diagnosis of JNA seen at UCLA Medical Center over a 41-year period (1960-2000) were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty cases of JNA have been seen at UCLA Medical Center from 1960 to 2000. One hundred two were treated with surgical resection, 1 refused therapy, and the remaining 27 received radiation (3000-5500 cGy) as their primary mode of treatment. Fifteen percent (4 of 27) of the irradiated patients developed recurrent tumor 2 to 5 years later. Long-term complications occurred in 4 patients (15%) and consisted of growth retardation, panhypopituitarism, temporal lobe necrosis, cataracts, and radiation keratopathy.

CONCLUSIONS

External beam radiation therapy represents an effective mode of treatment for patients with advanced JNA. Although the latency period may be long, we think the likelihood of potentially fatal complications developing at the radiation dosages we recommend is less than the risk of significant morbidity and mortality associated with surgical intervention in these cases.

Angiofibromas of the postnasal space: a critical appraisal of various therapeutic modalities

Angiofibromas of the postnasal space are an enigma to the treating surgeon in view of their extensions around the skull base. The availability of modern investigative procedures has to some extent facilitated the decision making process in choosing a suitable surgical approach. Proper tumour staging and the earliest and widest possible exposure tailored to the needs of the specific situation together with adequate blood replacement is the key to success in minimizing the chances of the recurrence. The present study aims at an evaluation of the methodology adopted in 100 serial cases of angiofibromas of the postnasal space. After initial surgery, a further 31 procedures were needed for the management of recurrences.

A rational classification of angiofibromas of the post nasal space

Angiofibromas of the post nasal space have the potential to extend in all directions along predetermined pathways with a definite mode and chronological pattern. In order to understand their clinical behaviour, methods of treatment and prognosis, a system of clinical staging based on conventional and tomographic observations has been found useful in this series of cases. The classification has been evolved according to the extent of the tumour involvement but also the age of onset, duration, size and area of encroachment including the surgical approach and consequent prognosis. Deficiencies in the earlier classifications are discussed.

Surgical experience with juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma

Our experience with 18 cases of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) over a period of 9 years is discussed. All cases were managed surgically: 17 via a transpalatal approach and one case by a combined transpalatal, lateral rhinotomy, and transantral approach. In this series there were two recurrences following primary surgical procedures and these required a second procedure. There were no major complications and all 18 patients are alive. We believe that surgical excision should be the treatment of choice for JNA and that radiotherapy should be used adjunctively for cases wherein intracranial extension of the tumors prevents total excision.

Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: (a nine-year experience)

In a nine-year period 50 nasopharyngeal angiofibromas, of whom 13 had recurrent tumour, were treated surgically at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. A new staging system according to the regions involved was used; 31 patients in whom the tumour was limited to the nasopharynx (Stage I) and those with superior spread into the ethmoid or sphenoid sinuses (Stage IIA) had their tumours removed by a transpalatal route, alone or in combination with other approaches. Tumours with lateral extensions into the pterygopalatine or infratemporal fossae or the cheek (Stage IIB), and those with simultaneous superior and lateral spread (Stage III) underwent a transmaxillary excision (19 cases). In two of the three cases with intracranial extension (Stage IV), the tumour was removed successfully from below. There was no mortality. The usefulness of the transmaxillary approach, especially in recurrent cases, is emphasized. No adjuvant modalities were employed in this series and blood loss was acceptable.