Do nasal angiofibromata only affect adolescent males?

Abstract

We present the case, including imaging and histopathology findings, of a 62-year-old lady who presented with a short history of unilateral nasal symptoms and a unilateral nasal mass. Angiography and biopsy showed a vascular architecture akin to an angiofibroma. The tumour was therefore embolised before complete macroscopic surgical resection. Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (JNA) is a benign, extremely vascular tumour that classically affects adolescent males and accounts for approximately 0.05–0.5% of all head and neck tumours. There are reports in the literature of angiofibromata occurring in older patients of both genders, without the stereotyped anatomy, termed adult extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma (ENA). ENA is not however in the current WHO classification of head and neck tumours and as such there are no agreed histopathologic criteria for its diagnosis. This case further highlights the unusual range of sinonasal tumours and the need to maintain an open mind when treating vascular sinonasal tumours, in all age groups.