Angiofibroma Originating outside the Nasopharynx: A Management Dilemma

Abstract

Background. Angiofibroma is a benign tumor, consisting of fibrous tissue with varying degrees of vascularity, characterized by proliferation of stellate and spindle cells around the blood vessels. It most commonly arises from the nasopharynx, although it may rarely arise in extranasopharyngeal sites. Case Report. A 46-year-old male presented with left side nasal obstruction and epistaxis for one month. Clinical nasal examination revealed left sided polypoidal mass arising from the vestibular region of the lateral nasal wall. Results. CT scan and MRI showed highly vascular soft tissue mass occupying the anterior part of the left nostril. Preoperative selective embolization followed by transnasal excision was performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnoses of nasal vestibular angiofibroma. Conclusion. Extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a very rare pathology. It should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis with any unilateral nasal vestibular mass causing nasal obstruction and epistaxis. A biopsy without further investigation can cause life threatening bleeding in the patient.

Atypical angiofibroma in a patient with compromised general health: A case report

“…Diseases in the nasopharynx may be of different natures, such as benign or malignant neoplasms, and infectious or inflammatory diseases [ 16 ]. The NA is a neoplasm that accounts for less than 0.5% of all head and neck tumors [ 2 , 5 , 12 , 17 ].…”

“…From this suspicion, we decided to perform the incisional biopsy. The different degrees of vascularization of this lesion [ 16 ] may explain the absence of abnormal bleeding during the diagnostic surgical procedure. In addition, it is worth noting that this case does not represent an extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma [ 16 , 17 ].…”

“…The pathological aspect of NA includes fibrous tissue composed of stellate and spindle cells, with varying degrees of vascularization [ 1 , 16 ]. The stroma may also show variation regarding the density of collagen [ 1 ].…”

Atypical angiofibroma: a very rare case report and review of literature

“…The triad of unilateral nasal occlusion, epistaxis, and a nasopharyngeal neoplasm propose the diagnosis [5]. It has been supposed that NA is a tumor dependent on testosterone [6].…”

A Rare Case of Angiofibroma Mimicking Fibrous Epulis in Posterior Gingival Mucosa

“…1 Mahmood et al reported the pedicle had been completely transected with bipolar diathermy, with insignificant bleeding which was controlled with electrocautery. 10 The recurrence rate of angiofibroma varies in some series. Sun et al reported the recurrence occurred in 21.7% of the patients with tumor size less than 4 cm and 54.9% of the patients with tumor size more than 4 cm.…”