Endoscopic endonasal resection of respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartomas of the sinonasal tract.

BACKGROUND

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartomas (REAHs) are rare benign tumors and may manifest as either isolated lesions or in association with sinonasal polyposis. The aim of this study is to report our experience in the management of patients with REAH and to analyze the long-term results of the endoscopic endonasal approach.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a database dedicated to patients with REAH treated between May 2003 and December 2012 was performed. Clinical presentation, demographic, histologic and radiographic features, operative findings, and follow-up data were examined.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients with REAH, 14 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 51 years, underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The most frequent reported symptoms were nasal obstruction (80%), headache (12%), mucous rhinorrhea (20%), and hyposmia (40%). Seventeen cases (first group) were present as isolated masses, 10 cases (second group) were associated with nasal polyposis. The first group with a preoperative diagnosis of REAH was submitted to a more aggressive resection with subperiosteal dissection and drilling of the underlying bone. The patients in the second group, because of the unrevealed diagnosis of REAH and due to the presence of nasal polyposis, underwent standard ESS. No evidence of recurrence in either of the subgroups after a mean follow-up of 61.2 months.

CONCLUSION

REAH is a benign well-defined pathological entity but is still unfamiliar. REAH should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis from more aggressive lesions to avoid unnecessary surgical procedure. A complete but conservative endoscopic resection appears to be curative.