J Korean Soc Radiol.  2013 May;68(5):391-395.

Nasopharyngeal Hemangioma in Adult: A Case Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea. hshong@schmc.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
  • 3Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal masses are usually malignant, and benign nasopharyngeal tumors such as hemangioma are unusual. In adults, hemangiomas do not involute spontaneously, but progress. Imaging modalities are useful to rule out other malignancies and vascular lesions and to evaluate the lesion. Most hemangiomas require no therapy, but certain factors such as age of the patient and location and size of the lesion may make treatment necessary. We report a case of an unusual nasopharyngeal hemangioma treated with endoscopic excision in an adult who complained of hearing loss.


MeSH Terms

Adult
Hearing Loss
Hemangioma
Humans
Nasopharynx
Vascular Malformations

Figure

  • Fig. 1 CT, MR, angiography, and pathologic findings of nasopharyngeal hemangioma in a 45-year-old man. A-C. Contrast-enhanced neck CT scan (A. axial, B. coronal, C. sagittal image) shows an oval, well-defined, heterogeneously enhanced mass (arrows) with tubular enhanced structures (arrowheads) in the nasopharynx and extending into the oropharynx. D. A T1-weighted image shows an isointense mass (arrows) with inner signal-void tubular structures (arrowhead) in the left nasopharynx. E. An axial FSE T2-weighted image shows a heterogeneous mass (arrow) with slightly high signal intensity and an inner signal-void tubular lesion (arrowhead). F. A contrast-enhanced 3D-SPGR image shows an intensely enhanced mass (arrows) in the left nasopharynx. G, H. Selective left external carotid artery angiography with left anterior oblique view shows hypervascular tumor staining (arrows), supplies from posterior superior alveolar artery, arising from the internal maxillary artery (arrowheads) in the early arterial phase, and an early draining vein (long arrow) in the late arterial phase. I. The tumor consists of variously sized, thick-walled vessels. In some parts, there is lobular growth of small capillary-sized vessels with central feeding vessels (H&E, × 40). Note.-FSE = fast spin echo, 3D-SPGR = 3 dimensional spoiled gradient echo


Reference

1. Som PM, Curtin HD. Head and neck imaging. 2011. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby;1749–1779.
2. Connor SE, Flis C, Langdon JD. Vascular masses of the head and neck. Clin Radiol. 2005. 60:856–868.
3. Chong VF, Fan YF. Radiology of the nasopharynx: pictorial essay. Australas Radiol. 2000. 44:5–13.
4. Flors L, Leiva-Salinas C, Maged IM, Norton PT, Matsumoto AH, Angle JF, et al. MR imaging of soft-tissue vascular malformations: diagnosis, classification, and therapy follow-up. Radiographics. 2011. 31:1321–1340. discussion 1340-1341.
5. Ramaligam K, Ramalingam R, Rayappa C, Chaudhary A. Giant haemangioma of the naso-orohypopharynx treated by midline mandible split. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol. 2011. 17:62–67.
6. Strauss M, Widome MD, Roland PS. Nasopharyngeal hemangioma causing airway obstruction in infancy. Laryngoscope. 1981. 91:1365–1368.
7. Mulliken JB, Glowacki J. Hemangiomas and vascular malformations in infants and children: a classification based on endothelial characteristics. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1982. 69:412–422.
8. Fuchsmann C, Quintal MC, Giguere C, Ayari-Khalfallah S, Guibaud L, Powell J, et al. Propranolol as first-line treatment of head and neck hemangiomas. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011. 137:471–478.
9. Vilanova JC, Barceló J, Smirniotopoulos JG, Pérez-Andrés R, Villalón M, Miró J, et al. Hemangioma from head to toe: MR imaging with pathologic correlation. Radiographics. 2004. 24:367–385.
10. Razek AA, Huang BY. Soft tissue tumors of the head and neck: imaging-based review of the WHO classification. Radiographics. 2011. 31:1923–1954.
Full Text Links
  • JKSR
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr