Low-grade osteosarcoma of the maxillary sinus

Low-grade osteosarcomas of the paranasal sinus are extremely rare. Most reported cases of maxillary sinus osteosarcoma are high-grade. We present a 51-year-old man with a low-grade osteosarcoma which was histologically difficult to diagnose in isolation since it had bland features. The presence of an aggressive destructive lesion on imaging influenced the final pathological diagnosis as often appears to be the case with this rare tumor. We briefly discuss paranasal sinus osteosarcomas.

Artifactual 2-Deoxy-2-[18F]Fluoro-D-Glucose Localization Surrounding Metallic Objects in a PET/CT Scanner Using CT-Based Attenuation Correction

PURPOSE

To communicate a clinically important artifact in positron emission tomography (PET) images using a PET/computerized tomography (CT) scanner with CT-based attenuation correction.

PROCEDURE

A 65-year-old man with a maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma was injected with 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) and underwent a PET scan using a dual modality PET/CT scanner with CT-based attenuation correction. Immediately afterward, the patient had a second scan using a different PET scanner that used a high-energy transmission source for attenuation correction.

RESULTS

The PET/CT scanner images demonstrated a focus of activity in the attenuation corrected PET images corresponding to a pacemaker in the left chest wall. No abnormal focus was noted in the nonattenuation corrected PET images. The patient had no signs or symptoms of inflammation at the site. A second scan using a PET scanner with a high-energy transmission source demonstrated no abnormal focus in the AC PET images.

CONCLUSIONS

PET/CT scanners using CT-based attenuation methodology can overcorrect dense objects resulting in hot spot artifacts in AC PET images.

The unilateral opaque maxillary sinus on computed tomography

Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging method of choice for conditions that affect the paranasal sinuses. We reviewed all paranasal CT scans in the ear nose and throat (ENT) and maxillofacial surgery departments in 1 year. Of these 372 scans, unilateral opacity of the maxillary sinus was seen in 20 cases. Neoplastic disease was diagnosed in six of these, four of which were malignant. We describe the cases of neoplastic disease, particularly features of the history, examination, and scans that should alert the clinician to the possibility of sinister pathology. We emphasise the importance of nasendoscopic examination in the accurate assessment of sinonasal disease.

[Epistaxis as initial manifestation of disseminated renal adenocarcinoma]

Peculiar renal carcinoma tendency to unusual distant metastases suggest this primary neoplasm to be accounted in differential diagnosis of metastases as first clinical symptom of cancer. Renal cell carcinoma present metastases in 26-30% of cases at the time of diagnosis. Head and neck metastases from renal carcinoma are said to be present in 8% (6-15.2%) of patients, and half of them are asented on paranasal sinuses. We report a 70-years-old patient with recurrent epistaxis as first clinical sign of a nasosinusal metastases from renal disseminated carcinoma, who precised selective embolization. Epidemyologic, diagnostic and therapeutical aspects are briefly reviewed in literature. Nasosinusal metastases are uncommon in clinical practice. We emphasized the need of primary tumor investigation in the organs most often responsible for these metastasic deposits as: kidney (50%), lungs, breast, gastrointestinal tract, urogenital ridge and thyroid gland. Individualized treatment depends on leasions number and localization. On routine follow up of hipernephroma nephrectomized patients a high suspect index has to be considered as paranasal metastases can eventually occur.

[Bladder transitional cell carcinoma with metastasis to the maxillary sinus as first symptom]

Maxillary sinus metastasis are very uncommon tumors (fifty have been reported). The most frequent ones are renal adenocarcinoma, breast and lung tumors. Up to now there is only a reported case of bladder carcinoma in maxillary sinus. We report a 67 years old male with a right maxillary tumor two months ago. FNA demonstrated a transitional cell bladder tumor. The treatment was chemotherapy. The patient died two months later. We reported some considerations about metastatic tumors of paranasal sinus.

[How I do it - total maxillectomy via midfacial degloving]

Midfacial degloving for total maxillectomy in the case of a 67 year old male patient with a maxillary sinus adamantinoma of solid and multicystic plexiform differentiation is presented. This is the first report about surgical treatment of an adamantinoma via midfacial degloving. The importance of preoperative staging by means of computed tomography to exclude cheek infiltration and to plan the extension of maxillary resection is pointed out. The prognosis of the adamantinoma and its histopathological classification is discussed. The postoperative obturation of the resection defect and nasal cavity towards the oral cavity must be prepared preoperatively by the interdisciplinary care of dentistry and ENT surgery. Complete functional restoration of speech, swallowing and esthetic appearance can be achieved. Midfacial degloving for complete maxillectomy is rarely cited. Nevertheless it can be recommended for surgical treatment of maxillary tumours without spread in the cheek muscles and upper lip, even those which need total maxillectomy.

Radiographic evaluation of malignant fibrous histiocytoma affecting maxillary alveolar bone: a report of 2 cases

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiographic findings of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) and to discuss the contribution of these findings to a differentiation of MFH from other malignant tumors of the head and neck.

STUDY DESIGN

Two cases of MFH of the maxillary sinus affecting the alveolar bone were evaluated radiographically and scintigraphically.

RESULTS

We reported the following findings, which have only seldom been described: the presence of fairly well-demarcated bone destruction in the intraoral radiograph; the relatively smooth surface, uniform density, or no necrotic area of the tumor; in computed tomograph images showing the clear separation of the tumor from surrounding soft tissues; bone scintigraphs reflecting the periosteal reaction to tumor invasion; and lymphoscintigraphy of the metastatic lymph nodes.

CONCLUSION

We evaluated the radiographic findings from 2 cases of MFH and describe findings that may aid in the differentiation of MFH. These radiographic features may help dentists differentiate MFH from other malignant tumors in the head and neck, although MFH is a rare disease and there are no radiographic findings that would indicate a specific diagnosis of MFH.

[Osteoma of the maxillary sinus]

BACKGROUND

Osteoma of the paranasal sinuses is a rare and benign entity that develops slowly. If they occur, locations within the frontal sinus and ethmoid cells are more frequent, whereas osteomas in the sphenoid or maxillary sinus are very rare.

CASE

We report on a 25-year old female patient presenting with a bony mass in the right maxillary sinus. A standard external approach using a modified Caldwell-Luc procedure was successfully employed as endoscopic endonasal surgery was limited by the size of the bony lesion.

CONCLUSIONS

Trauma or infection are often suggested as an etiologic factor in the pathogenesis of osteoma. In our case the development of maxillary osteoma was related to dental extraction and postoperative fistula. External standard procedures remain mandatory if endonasal endoscopic surgery fails in the removal of osteoma of the paranasal sinuses.

Primary orbital leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma

A case of an extremely rare primary orbital leiomyoma in a 25-year-old male patient is presented who had a lifelong history of deviation of the left eye globe with slight enophthalmos and reduced motility. Because of pain and increasing deviation of the eye the tumor was totally resected. On histologic examination the tumor showed ossification which is extremely rare so that a calcifying fibroma had to be ruled out. In immunohistochemistry, however, this tumor stained with smooth muscle antigen. Less than 2% of cells stained positive for Ki-S1, a proliferation marker. The second case is a rare primary orbital leiomyosarcoma in an 84-year-old female patient that showed massive growth. After exenteration histologic examination showed a dedifferentiated highly malignant soft tissue tumor which expressed desmin and smooth muscle actin but was negative for myoglobin, S-100 and HMB-45.

Antrochoanal polyps in children: CT findings and differential diagnosis

Antrochoanal polyp (Killian polyp) is an infrequent, usually solitary, benign, slowly growing lesion that arises from the maxillary antrum and reaches the choana. These polyps have a discrete male predominance and are diagnosed usually between the third and the fifth decades of life. This report is based on three cases of antrochoanal polyp, occurring in the pediatric group, and the objective is to demonstrate their different CT characteristics, principal differential diagnoses, and potential complications. We emphasize that in all three cases of our series the growth of the polyp to the choana is through the accessory ostium.

A-mode ultrasound in the diagnosis of chronic polypous sinusitis

A-mode ultrasound (A-US) is a simple, non-invasive and non-ionizing method for detecting fluid or even mucosal swelling in inflamed maxillary and frontal sinuses. A-US has been shown to be a quite reliable tool in the diagnosis of acute maxillary sinusitis. However, controversy still exists over the reliability of A-US in detecting fluid retention or mucosal swelling in patients suffering from chronic polypous rhinosinusitis or in transantrally operated maxillary sinuses. We have compared the results of maxillary sinus A-US with computed tomography (CT) images in a selected series of chronic polypous rhinosinusitis comprising 40 patients. Fluid retention was seen in 20 of 79 maxillary sinuses on CT scanning. Only 6 of these 20 retentions were detected with A-US. There were 11 false positive findings. In six of these cases a back-wall echo was received through polypoid masses in the sinus. Mucosal swelling was also difficult to diagnose. The results of A-US were not easily reproduced; only in 50% of cases were identical results obtained by two investigators. We do not recommend the use of A-US to diagnose fluid retention or mucosal swelling in a patient with chronic mucosal changes in the maxillary sinus or if surgery has been performed on the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus.

Radiographic findings for solitary plasmacytoma of the bone in the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus: A case report

Radiographic findings for a solitary plasmacytoma of the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus are reported. The diagnostic evaluation for this disease is discussed through use of plain images, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The treatment selected was radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed bone destruction, though this was not apparent on plain images. T(1)-weighted magnetic resonance images showed similar or high signal intensity relative to muscle; T(2)-weighted images showed hyperintensity.

Angiosarcoma of the maxillary sinus

Angiosarcomas are rapidly growing malignant neoplasms arising from the vascular endothelial cells. Most common sites are the extremities and the retroperitoneal space, with only four per cent of angiosarcomas arising in the head and neck area, whilst the paranasal sinuses are one of the rarest locations. We report the case of a maxillary sinus angiosarcoma in a 72-year-old male patient. The first biopsy was inconclusive, whereas the second revealed an angiosarcoma. Medial maxillectomy was performed with subsequent external irradiation.

Primary malignant lymphoma of the maxillary sinus: CT and MRI

We reviewed the CT and MRI of seven patients with primary malignant lymphoma of the maxillary sinus to find if there are characteristic imaging findings suggestive of the disease. The images were analysed for appearance, size, signal, internal characteristics, extent of tumour, bone change and lymph node enlargement. In two patients, the tumour first presented with mucosal thickening. In the remaining five, the tumours were an expansile mass 4-6 cm in diameter at the time of detection. Although it was difficult to distinguish tumour from mucosa or obstructed fluid on CT, T2-weighted MRI enabled us to separate tumour from normal mucosa or fluid. In two patients, the tumours were heterogeneous. Calcification and haemorrhage were observed in one patient. Periantral soft-tissue infiltration was always present, even when tumour appeared as slight mucosal thickening. Posterior extension was seen in all patients. Permeative and lytic bone destruction accompanied most cases of periantral soft-tissue infiltration; mixed destruction and sclerosis was also observed. Mucosal thickening with periantral soft-tissue infiltration may suggest malignant lymphoma of the maxillary sinus in its early form. Various types of bone change may accompany the periantral soft-tissue infiltration.

Paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx CT and MRI

Neoplastic disease of the nose, paranasal sinuses, the nasopharynx and the parapharyngeal space requires thorough assessment of location and extent in order to plan appropriate treatment. CT allows the deep soft tissue planes to be evaluated and provides a complement to the physical examination. It is especially helpful in regions involving thin bony structures (paranasal sinuses, orbita); here CT performs better than MRI. MRI possesses many advantages over other imaging modalities caused by its excellent tissue contrast. In evaluating regions involving predominantly soft tissue structures (ec nasopharynx and parapharyngeal space) MRI is superior to CT. The possibility to obtain strictly consecutive volume data sets with spiral CT or 3D MRI offer excellent perspectives to visualize the data via 2D or 3D postprocessing. Because head and neck tumors reside in a complex area, having a 3D model of the anatomical features may assist in the delineation of pathology. Data sets may be transferred directly into computer systems and thus be used in computer assisted surgery.