Vision recovery following nasopharyngeal angiofibroma excision

• Published in: Auris, nasus, larynx Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 309 - 311
• Main Authors: Patrocı́nio, José Antônio, Patrocı́nio, Lucas Gomes, Martins, Lessandro Paiva, Cunha, André Rodrigues da
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.07.2002
• Subjects: Adolescent; Angiofibroma; Angiofibroma - surgery; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Nasopharyngeal neoplasms; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - surgery; Nerve Compression Syndromes - surgery; Optic Nerve Diseases - surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vascular tissue neoplasms; Vision disorders; Vision Disorders - etiology; Vascular tissue neoplasms; Vision disorders; Nasopharyngeal neoplasms; Angiofibroma
• ISSN: 0385-8146; 1879-1476
• DOI: 10.1016/S0385-8146(02)00012-3

‘Juvenile’ nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a locally aggressive, yet histologically benign, vascular neoplasm. This neoplasm accounts for less than 0.5% of head and neck neoplasms. We report an unique case of a 14-year-old male with a nasopharyngeal angiofibroma compressing the optic nerve and causing great visual impairment. The tumor was a red lobulated mass in left nostril, invading maxillary sinus, anterior and posterior ethmoid sinus, sphenoid sinus, and cavum area. Midfacial degloving approach and total excision of the tumor resulted in almost completely visual recovery. Optic nerve decompression was not performed. We consider that an early diagnosis, an adequate approach, total tumor excision, and efforts by a team of sub-specialists are most likely to yield optimal results.