Endoscopic Resection of Sinonasal Tract Schwannoma

Abstract

Background:

Sinonasal schwannoma (SNS) is a rare sinonasal tract tumor whose presentation is similar to that of other benign nasal tumors. Very few case series appear in the literature. This study aims to describe the presentation, treatment, and outcome of 10 SNS cases from 3 referral centers.

Methods:

All SNS cases were analyzed retrospectively. Patient demographics, tumor data, surgical procedures, and outcome were recorded.

Results:

Five males and 5 females (mean age, 49.1 ± 21.4 years) were included in the study. The tumor was on the left side in 9 patients and on the right side in 1. It originated in the middle turbinate in 4 cases, the ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses in 2 cases, and the nasal septum and infratemporal fossa in 1 case each. Tumor resection was done endoscopically in all cases, and there was no need for an external procedure, and 5 patients did not require a sinusotomy. All 10 patients remained disease-free after a mean follow-up of 65.3 months (range, 2-120 months).

Conclusion:

Safe and effective endoscopic resection of SNS is feasible. If the tumor is contained within the nasal cavity, simple tumor excision without sinusotomy can be enough to resect the tumor. In more extensive disease, a wider endoscopic approach may be needed, but an external approach was not necessary in this series.