Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2007 Sep;50(9):836-840.

A Case of Olfactory Neuroblastoma in Sphenoid Sinus

• Park CS
• Choi HJ
• Kim CS
• Kim NS

Abstract

Olfactory neuroblastoma is a relatively uncommon malignant tumor originating from neuroectoderm and it usually arises from the superior portion of the nasal cavity, such as superior turbinate, superior part of septum, or cribriform plate. Cases of olfactory neuroblastoma from sphenoid sinus, in which olfactory epithelium rarely exists, have been rarely reported. Although nasal obstruction and epistaxis are the most common presenting symptoms of olfatory neroblastoma, our patient presented with headache and dizziness. The most common cause of isolated sphenoid lesion is inflammation, but the possibility of tumorous conditions should not be excluded without thorough evaluation. The authors experienced a rare case of olfactory neuroblastoma from sphenoid sinus that had been confused as isolated sphenoid sinusitis. So we report our unusual case with a brief review of literature.

Keyword

Sphenoid sinusitis; Olfactory neuroblastoma

MeSH Terms

Dizziness
Epistaxis
Esthesioneuroblastoma, Olfactory*
Ethmoid Bone
Headache
Humans
Inflammation
Nasal Cavity
Nasal Obstruction
Neural Plate
Olfactory Mucosa
Sphenoid Sinus*
Sphenoid Sinusitis
Turbinates