Pleomorphic adenoma of the nasal cavity

Abstract

Pleomorphic adenomas represent 80% of the salivary gland’s benign tumors. They are most often found in the parotid gland or in the submandibular gland. Pleomorphic adenomas of the nasal cavity are rare, with less than fifty cases reported to date. There are no treatment or follow up guidelines. The purpose of this article is to review the cases already described in the literature and to share our clinical experience. We describe the case of a 38-year-old woman with a history of a slow growing intranasal tumor with recurrent epistaxis, obstruction, and aesthetic deformation. The pre-operative assessment suggested a benign tumor, but the biopsies were inconclusive. The decision was taken to perform an open rhinoplasty to have an en bloc resection with margins control. The diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma was established on the excised tumor. There were no post-operative complications. The early follow-up showed no signs of recurrence. We decided to closely follow the patient with frequent clinical examinations and yearly enhanced-MRIs for at least five years due to the recurrence and malignant transformation risks.