Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2015 Feb;58(2):110-114. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2015.58.2.110.

Histopathologic Diagnosis Associated with Delayed Diagnosis of Inferior Turbinate Pathology

• Ok S
• Ko DU
• Lee SH
• Lee SH
• Lee HM
• Park IH

• KMID: 1784960
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2015.58.2.110

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Conditions of inferior turbinate other than hypertrophy are rare and its morphology of inferior turbinate is variable. Therefore, the diagnosis of this fatal disease is often delayed. In the present study, histopathologic characteristics of inferior turbinate lesions associated with delayed diagnosis are determined by reviewing the clinical and diagnostic outcomes in patients with inferior turbinate lesions. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The medical records of patients who underwent endoscopic inferior turbinate biopsy following histopathologic evaluation from 2002 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed, including the previous medical history, physical examination, radiologic findings, histopathologic results, therapy, and follow-up examination.
RESULTS
A total 21 patients were included. The most common primary symptoms were nasal obstruction and frequent epistaxis. Diagnosed were 9 benign tumors, 7 malignant tumors, 2 infectious lesions, and 3 autoimmune lesions. Six of 21 patients visited more than three different hospitals before visiting our hospital. One-third of the cases with delayed diagnosis were malignant tumors, which included mucosal melanoma and natural killer/T cell lymphoma.
CONCLUSION
In patients with nasal obstruction unresponsive to multiple therapeutic attempts, inferior turbinate neoplasia should be suspected to avoid delaying diagnosis and proper treatment.

Keyword

Diagnosis; Histopathology; Inferior turbinate; Nasal obstruction

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Delayed Diagnosis*
Diagnosis*
Epistaxis
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hypertrophy
Lymphoma
Medical Records
Melanoma
Nasal Obstruction
Pathology*
Physical Examination
Retrospective Studies
Turbinates*