Esthesioneuroblastoma
Esthesioneuroblastoma is a tumor arising from the basal layer of the olfactory epithelium in the superior recess of the nasal cavity.
Usually, this tumor begins as a mass in the superior olfactory recess and initially involves the anterior and middle ethmoid air-cells on one side. As it grows, it tends to destroy surrounding bone, and can extend in any direction.
Some relevant aspects of this tumor:
- peaks in young adult patients (~2nd decade) and another peak in the 5th to 6th decades
- nasal stuffiness and rhinorrhea or epistaxis are also referred as primary symptoms
- arises from the basal layer of the olfactory epithelium in the superior recess of the nasal cavity
- slow growing tumor
- tends to destroy surrounding bone, and can extend in any direction
- on imaging they usually present as a soft tissue mass in the superior olfactory recess involving the anterior and middle ethmoid air cells on one side and extending through the cribriform plate into the anterior cranial fossa.
- contrast enhancement is often marked in both CT and MRI studies.
- treatment usually involves combined chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with surgical excision.
- prognosis is significantly affected by presence of distant metastases
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