Sinonasal tumors: a clinicopathologic update of selected tumors

Synthetic MRI and amide proton transfer-weighted MRI for differentiating between benign and malignant sinonasal lesions

OBJECTIVES

To explore the value of the synthetic MRI (SyMRI), combined with amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) MRI for quantitative and morphologic assessment of sinonasal lesions, which could provide relative scale for the quantitative assessment of tissue properties.

METHODS

A total of 80 patients (31 malignant and 49 benign) with sinonasal lesions, who underwent the SyMRI and APTw examination, were retrospectively analyzed. Quantitative parameters (T1, T2, proton density (PD)) and APT % were obtained through outlining the region of interest (ROI) and comparing the two groups utilizing independent Student t test or a Wilcoxon test. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), Delong test, and logistic regression analysis were performed to assess the diagnostic efficiency of one-parameter and multiparametric models.

RESULTS

SyMRI-derived mean T1, T2, and PD were significantly higher and APT % was relatively lower in benign compared to malignant sinonasal lesions (p < 0.05). The ROC analysis showed that the AUCs of the SyMRI-derived quantitative (T1, T2, PD) values and APT % ranged from 0.677 to 0.781 for differential diagnosis between benign and malignant sinonasal lesions. The T2 values showed the best diagnostic performance among all single parameters for differentiating these two masses. The AUCs of combined SyMRI-derived multiple parameters with APT % (AUC = 0.866) were the highest than that of any single parameter, which was significantly improved (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The combination of SyMRI and APTw imaging has the potential to reflect intrinsic tissue characteristics useful for differentiating benign from malignant sinonasal lesions.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Combining synthetic MRI with amide proton transfer-weighted imaging could function as a quantitative and contrast-free approach, significantly enhancing the differentiation of benign and malignant sinonasal lesions and overcoming the limitations associated with the superficial nature of endoscopic nasal sampling.

KEY POINTS

• Synthetic MRI and amide proton transfer-weighted MRI could differentiate benign from malignant sinonasal lesions based on quantitative parameters. • The diagnostic efficiency could be significantly improved through synthetic MRI + amide proton transfer-weighted imaging. • The combination of synthetic MRI and amide proton transfer-weighted MRI is a noninvasive method to evaluate sinonasal lesions.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a rare type of very locally advanced sinonasal carcinomas - long-term results from a tertiary care centre

Introduction

Sinonasal carcinomas are a rare type of head and neck malignancy with various histologies. The outcomes of patients with unresectable locally advanced sinonasal carcinomas are poor. Hence, we performed this analysis to study the long-term outcomes of sinonasal adenocarcinoma (SNAC) and sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas (SNUC) where neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has been given followed by local therapy.

Methods

16 patients with SNUC and adenocarcinoma who received NACT were found eligible for the study. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed for baseline characteristics, adverse events and treatment compliance. Kaplan Meir methods were used for the estimation of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Seven (43.75%) adenocarcinoma and nine (56.25%) SNUC patients were identified. The median age of the whole cohort was 48.5 years. The median number of cycles delivered was 3 (IQR 1-8). The incidence of grade 3-4 toxicity (CTCAE version 5.0) was 18.75%. The response was partial response or better in seven patients (43.75%). Post-NACT 11 patients (n = 15, 73%) were eligible for definitive therapy. The median PFS was 7.63 months (95% CI, 3.23 - NA months) and the median OS was 10.6 months (95% CI, 5.2-51.5 months). Median PFS and OS for those who underwent surgery post-NACT versus those who did not undergo surgery were 36.267 versus 3.7 months (p = 0.012) and 51.5 versus 10.633 months (p = 0.190), respectively.

Conclusion

The study shows a favourable role of NACT in improving resectability, significant improvement in PFS and non-significant improvement in OS after surgery.

The prognostic value of S-100 protein and Ki-67 index in olfactory neuroblastoma

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognostic value of S-100 protein and Ki-67 labeling index in olfactory neuroblastomas.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of 85 patients with olfactory neuroblastomas. The immunohistochemical expression of S-100 and Ki-67 was assessed, and the predictive value of S-100 and Ki-67 was further evaluated. The optimal cutoff value of Ki-67 labeling index was determined using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Overall survival and progression-free survival were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

A cut-off Ki-67 labeling index value of 67.5% was determined for prognosis in patients with olfactory neuroblastomas. There was a significant correlation between Ki-67 expression and cervical lymph node metastasis (P = 0.049). Compared with S-100 (+), S-100 (-) was associated with a higher rate of lymph node metastasis and a higher level of Ki-67 (P = 0.007, < 0.001, respectively), as well as an advanced Kadish stage (P = 0.037). Survival analyses showed that patients with S-100 (+) had better 5-year overall survival than those with S-100 (-) (P = 0.028), and patients with both S-100 (+) and Ki-67 (<67.5%) had superior 5-year overall survival compared with all the other patients (P = 0.0225).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that S-100 combined with Ki-67 labeling index are reliable prognostic factors in patients with olfactory neuroblastomas.

Dual-energy CT in differentiating benign sinonasal lesions from malignant ones: comparison with simulated single-energy CT, conventional MRI, and DWI

OBJECTIVES

To explore the value of dual-energy CT (DECT) for differentiating benign sinonasal lesions from malignant ones, and to compare this finding with simulated single-energy CT (SECT), conventional MRI (cMRI), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

METHODS

Patients with sinonasal lesions (38 benign and 34 malignant) who were confirmed by histopathology underwent DECT, cMRI, and DWI. DECT-derived parameters (iodine concentration (IC), effective atomic number (Eff-Z), 40-180 keV (20-keV interval), virtual non-enhancement (VNC), slope (k), and linear-mixed 0.3 (Mix-0.3)), DECT morphological features, cMRI characteristics, and ADC value of benign and malignant tumors were compared using t test or chi-square test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was compared using the Z test to select the optimal diagnostic approach.

RESULTS

Significantly higher DECT-derived single parameters (IC, Eff-Z, 40 keV, 60 keV, 80 keV, slope (k), Mix-0.3) were found in malignant lesions than those of benign sinonasal lesions (all p < 0.004, Bonferroni correction). Combined quantitative parameters (IC, Eff-Z, 40 keV, 60 keV, 80 keV, slope (k)) can improve the diagnostic efficiency for discriminating these two entities. Combination of DECT quantitative parameters and morphological features can further improve the overall diagnostic performance, with AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 0.935, 96.67%, 90.00%, and 93.52%. Moreover, the AUC of DECT was higher than those of Mix-0.3 (simulated SECT), cMRI, DWI, and cMRI+DWI.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with simulated SECT, cMRI, and DWI, DECT appears to be a more accurate imaging technique for differentiating benign from malignant sinonasal lesions.

KEY POINTS

• DE can differentiate benign sinonasal lesions from malignant ones based on DECT-derived qualitative parameters. • DECT appears to be more accurate in the diagnosis of sinonasal lesions when compared with simulated SECT, cMRI, and DWI.

The efficacy of function-preservation in treating paranasal sinus and nasal cavity neoplasms

Background

Craniofacial resection (CFR) has been regarded as the gold standard for paranasal sinus and nasal cavity (PNSNC) neoplasms. The improvement of surgical procedures has been ongoing in recent years. We analyzed the clinical curative effects of the function-preservation therapy that was mainly using nasal endoscopic surgery along with appropriate radiotherapy and chemotherapy as applicable.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of factors that influence the survival time of the 28 patients with PNSNC neoplasms who underwent nasal endoscopic surgery. All patients with tumor lesions underwent a complete resection in en bloc or piecemeal resection. Five cases did not undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy; the remaining 23 patients had multimodality therapy.

Results

The median follow-up time was 41.5 (range = 14-97) months. The overall 3-year survival rate was 78.57% for T3 cancer and 50% for those with T4. T classification (P = 0.031) and multimodality therapy (P = 0.038) were independent prognostic factors for postoperative 3-year survival rate of patients with PNSNC neoplasms.

Conclusion

Function-preservation therapy based on the minimally invasive endoscopic resection (MIER) with appropriate adjuvant therapy not only prolonged the overall survival time but also provided an opportunity to preserve organ function at the same time, which helped to improve the patients' quality of life.

Comparison of a Hybrid IMRT/VMAT technique with non-coplanar VMAT and non-coplanar IMRT for unresectable olfactory neuroblastoma using the RayStation treatment planning system-EUD, NTCP and planning study

The purpose of this study was to compare hybrid intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (Hybrid IMRT/VMAT), with non-coplanar (nc) IMRT and nc-VMAT treatment plans for unresectable olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB). Hybrid IMRT/VMAT, nc-IMRT and nc-VMAT plans were optimized for 12 patients with modified Kadish C stage ONB. Dose prescription was 65 Gy in 26 fractions. Dose-volume histogram parameters, conformation number (CN), homogeneity index (HI), integral dose and monitor units (MUs) delivered per fraction were assessed. Equivalent uniform dose (EUD) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) based on the EUD model (NTCPLogit) and the Lyman-Kutcher-Burman model (NTCPLKB) were also evaluated. We found that the Hybrid IMRT/VMAT plan significantly improved the CN for clinical target volume (CTV) and planning treatment volume (PTV) compared with the nc-VMAT plan. In general, sparing of organs at risk (OARs) is similar with the three techniques, although the Hybrid IMRT/VMAT plan resulted in a significantly reduced Dmax to contralateral (C/L) optic nerve compared with the nc-IMRT plan. The Hybrid IMRT/VMAT plan significantly reduce EUD to the ipsilateral (I/L) and C/L optic nerve in comparison with the nc-IMRT plan and nc-VMAT plan, but the difference in NTCP between the three technique was <1%. We concluded that the Hybrid IMRT/VMAT technique can offer improvement in terms of target conformity and EUD for optic nerves, while achieving equal or better OAR sparing compared with nc-IMRT and nc-VMAT, and can be a viable radiation technique for treating unresectable ONB. However, the clinical benefit of these small differences in dosimetric data, EUD and NTCP of optic nerves may be minimal.

Application of diffusion-weighted MR imaging with ADC measurement for distinguishing between the histopathological types of sinonasal neoplasms

PURPOSE

To evaluate the potential contribution of quantitative DWI parameters including ADC_mean and ADC_ratio values to help in distinguishing the histopathological types of sinonasal neoplasms.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 83 patients (50 males, 33 females; mean age 61 years) with pathologically proven untreated sinonasal neoplasms who have undergone diffusion-weighted MRI imaging from February 2010 to August 2017. Diffusion-weighted MRI was performed on a 3 T unit with b factors of 0 and 1000 s/mm², and ADC maps were generated. Mean ADC values of sinonasal tumors and ADC ratios (ADC_mean of the tumor to ADC_mean of pterygoid muscles) were compared with the histopathological diagnosis by utilizing the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test.

RESULTS

Mean ADC_mean and ADC_ratio were 0.8 (SD, ±0.4) × (10^-3 mm²/s) and 1.2 (SD, ±0.5), respectively, and each parameter was significantly different between histopathological types (p < 0.05). Mean ADC_mean and ADC_ratio were higher in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) than in SCC, lymphoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma and sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) (p < 0.05). Optimized ADC_mean thresholds of 0.79, 0.81, 0.74 and 0.78 (10^-3 mm²/s) achieved maximal discriminatory accuracies of 100%, 79%, 100% and 89% for ACC/SNUC, ACC/SCC, ACC/neuroendocrine carcinoma, and ACC/lymphoma, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimized ADC_mean threshold of 0.80 (10^-3 mm²/s) could be used to differentiate ACC from non-ACC sinonasal neoplasms with maximal discriminatory accuracy (82%) and sensitivity of 100%. However, there is considerable overlapping of the ADC_mean and ADC_ratio values among non-ACC sinonasal neoplasms hence surgical biopsy is still needed.

Utility of FDG PET/CT in the Characterization of Sinonasal Neoplasms: Analysis of Standardized Uptake Value Parameters

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the contribution of different standardized uptake value (SUV) parameters generated from pretreatment ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in the characterization of sinonasal neoplasms with histopathologic correlations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 97 consecutive patients (58 men, 39 women; age range, 20-93 years; mean age, 62 years) with pathologically proven untreated sinonasal neoplasms who underwent FDG PET/CT from February 2010 to August 2017. Semiquantitative analysis of primary tumors were performed to evaluate the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max), mean standardized uptake value (SUV_mean), and the ratio of the SUV_max of the primary tumor to the SUV_mean of mediastinal blood pool, which we refer to here as " SUV_ratio." Various sinonasal tumor histopathologic subgroups (n = 14) were analyzed. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the SUV_max, SUV_mean, and SUV_ratio with the histopathologic diagnosis.

RESULTS

Mean values of SUV_max, SUV_mean, and SUV_ratio for the sinonasal neoplasms were 16.6 ± 9.7 (SD), 8.6 ± 5.1, and 5.9 ± 3.7, respectively, and each parameter was significantly different between histopathologic types (p < 0.05). Mean values of SUV_max, SUV_mean, and SUV_ratio were higher in sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) than in olfactory neuroblastoma, metastasis, and adenoid cystic carcinoma (p < 0.05). Mean values of SUV_max and SUV_mean were higher in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) than in olfactory neuroblastoma and metastasis (p < 0.05). Also, mean SUV_max was higher in SCC and SNUC than in poorly differentiated carcinoma (p < 0.05). Mean SUV_ratio was higher in SCC than in small cell carcinoma, olfactory neuroblastoma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that different SUV parameters from FDG PET/CT can be used as so-called "metabolic biopsy" to categorize sinonasal neoplasms into different histopathologic subgroups because it can help in the characterization of some of the more common subgroups of sinonasal neoplasms. However, we found that there is overlap in FDG uptake values among some of the rare histologic subgroups; hence, surgical biopsy is still needed for differentiation of histologic subtypes of aggressive sinonasal masses.

Sinonasal renal cell-like adenocarcinoma: Easily misdiagnosed sinonasal tumor

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal renal cell-like adenocarcinoma is rare and exhibits unique pathological and clinical manifestations. Correct diagnosis and treatment of this newly described entity are challenging for both clinicians and pathologists.

METHODS

We report a female patient with sinonasal renal cell-like adenocarcinoma who initially presented with right intermittent epistaxis.

RESULTS

A 26-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of right intermittent epistaxis and hyposmia. Nasal endoscopy revealed a reddish tumor in the right nasal cavity. An MRI revealed a hyperintense tumor arising from the right olfactory cleft accompanied by prominent feeding vessels originating from the anterior ethmoid artery (AEA). We performed a bicoronal incision with ligation of the AEA followed by endoscopic resection of the skull base tumor. The patient is currently free of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to review the clinical features of sinonasal renal cell-like adenocarcinoma. We recommend surgical resection as the mainstay of treatment.

Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma of the Nasal Septum: A Case Report

Metastatic lesions of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are rare tumors. Carcinomas originating from intrapelvic organs play an important role in the differential diagnosis of these masses because of their paradoxic spread to the head and neck region. In this study we report a case with metastatic renal cell carcinoma of the caudal nasal septum.

Standard diffusion-weighted, diffusion kurtosis and intravoxel incoherent motion MR imaging of sinonasal malignancies: correlations with Ki-67 proliferation status

OBJECTIVES

To explore the correlations of parameters derived from standard diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) with the Ki-67 proliferation status.

METHODS

Seventy-five patients with histologically proven sinonasal malignancies who underwent standard DWI, DKI and IVIM were retrospectively reviewed. The mean, minimum, maximum and whole standard DWI [apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)], DKI [diffusion kurtosis (K) and diffusion coefficient (Dk)] and IVIM [pure diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*) and perfusion fraction (f)] parameters were measured and correlated with the Ki-67 labelling index (LI). The Ki-67 LI was categorised as high (> 50%) or low (≤ 50%).

RESULTS

The K and f values were positively correlated with the Ki-67 LI (rho = 0.295~0.532), whereas the ADC, Dk and D values were negatively correlated with the Ki-67 LI (rho = -0.443~-0.277). The ADC, Dk and D values were lower, whereas the K value was higher in sinonasal malignancies with a high Ki-67 LI than in those in a low Ki-67 LI (all p < 0.05). A higher maximum K value (K_max > 0.977) independently predicted a high Ki-67 status [odds ratio (OR) = 7.614; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.197-38.674; p = 0.017].

CONCLUSION

ADC, Dk, K, D and f are correlated with Ki-67 LI. K_max is the strongest independent factor for predicting Ki-67 status.

KEY POINTS

• DWI-derived parameters from different models are capable of providing different pathophysiological information. • DWI, DKI and IVIM parameters are associated with Ki-67 proliferation status. • K _max derived from DKI is the strongest independent factor for the prediction of Ki-67 proliferation status.

Intravoxel Incoherent Motion MR Imaging in the Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Sinonasal Lesions: Comparison with Conventional Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Intravoxel incoherent motion is a promising method for the differentiation of sinonasal lesions. This study aimed to evaluate the value of intravoxel incoherent motion in the differentiation of benign and malignant sinonasal lesions and to compare the diagnostic performance of intravoxel incoherent motion with that of conventional DWI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred thirty-one patients with histologically proved solid sinonasal lesions (56 benign and 75 malignant) who underwent conventional DWI and intravoxel incoherent motion were recruited in this study. The diffusion coefficient (D), pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) values derived from intravoxel incoherent motion and ADC values derived from conventional DWI were measured and compared between the 2 groups using the Student t test. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, logistic regression analysis, and 10-fold cross-validation were performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of single-parametric and multiparametric models.

RESULTS

The mean ADC and D values were significantly lower in malignant sinonasal lesions than in benign sinonasal lesions (both P < .001). The mean f value was higher in malignant lesions than in benign lesions (P = .003). Multiparametric models can significantly improve the cross-validated areas under the curve for the differentiation of sinonasal lesions compared with single-parametric models (all corrected P < .05 except the D value). The model of D+f provided a better diagnostic performance than the ADC value (corrected P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Intravoxel incoherent motion appears to be a more effective MR imaging technique than conventional DWI in the differentiation of benign and malignant sinonasal lesions.

ETV6 Gene Rearrangements Characterize a Morphologically Distinct Subset of Sinonasal Low-grade Non-intestinal-type Adenocarcinoma: A Novel Translocation-associated Carcinoma Restricted to the Sinonasal Tract

Low-grade sinonasal adenocarcinomas (low-grade SNACs) of the sinonasal tract comprise a poorly characterized and histologically heterogeneous group of tumors. We describe three cases of a histologically distinct variant of low-grade SNAC characterized by ETV6 gene rearrangements. The patients included 2 women (aged 32 and 88 y) and a man (aged 75 y); all were initially treated with surgery alone. Follow-up ranged from 9 to 170 months with one patient having 2 local recurrences and none experiencing distant or regional metastases. Tumors were composed of cytologically bland columnar and cuboidal eosinophilic tumor cells with basally located nuclei arranged in tubular and tubulotrabecular patterns. Immunohistochemically, CK7, DOG1, GCDFP-15, and SOX10 were positive in all cases, and vimentin was positive in 2 cases. Scattered single cells or small groups of tumor cells were S-100 positive. Only one case had weak, focal expression of GATA3, and mammaglobin was consistently negative. Two cases had ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusions, whereas ETV6 had an unknown fusion partner gene in one case. The highly similar morphology, immunohistochemical profile, and genetics of the presented cases are suggestive of a specific disease. Although translocation-associated adenocarcinomas in the sinonasal tract have previously been described exclusively as salivary-type carcinomas, we present the first type of carcinoma characterized by recurrent genetic rearrangements and distinct phenotype occurring exclusively in the sinonasal tract with no known major salivary gland counterpart. We provisionally designate this tumor ETV6-rearranged low-grade SNAC. Identification of additional cases is necessary to fully appreciate the morphologic and biological spectrum of this disease.

Shrinkage of Nasal Mucosa and Cartilage During Formalin Fixation

BACKGROUND

After resection, specimens are subjected to formalin fixation during histological processing. This procedure can result in tissue shrinkage, with the amount of shrinkage related to tissue composition and tissue type.

AIMS

To evaluate the shrinkage of nasal mucosa and cartilage tissue and compare differences in shrinkage after resection, after formalin fixation, and during microscopic examination to understand differences in the rate of shrinkage of different tissue types.

STUDY DESIGN

Animal experimentation.

METHODS

Fresh nasal septa were excised from sheep (10 mm diameter in 40 sheep and 20 mm diameter in 40 sheep). The mucosa was separated from one side of the cartilage, with the contralateral mucosa remaining attached to the cartilage. Specimen diameters were measured in situ, after resection, after fixation for 6 or 24 hours (10% formalin), and during microscopic examination.

RESULTS

There were no differences between the in situ and after resection diameters of any tissue components (free mucosa, mucosa attached to cartilage, and cartilage) of all nasal specimens (10- or 20-mm diameter and 6- or 24-hour fixation). However, significant shrinkage occurred between resection and after-fixation. Regarding tissue specimens that were fixed for different durations (6 or 24 hours), we observed a significantly smaller mean tissue diameter in specimens fixed for 24 hours versus those fixed for 6 hours for mucosa attached to cartilage (in the 10-mm diameter after-fixation samples), free mucosa (in the 20-mm diameter after-fixation samples), mucosa attached to cartilage (in the 20-mm diameter after-fixation and microscopic measurement samples), and cartilage (in the 20-mm diameter after-fixation samples). Tissue shrinkage was greatest in free mucosal tissue and least in cartilage.

CONCLUSION

These results should be considered when evaluating patients undergoing surgical procedures for nasal cavity and paranasal sinus malignancies. Surgical margins should be measured before fixation or evaluated if possible before fixation and shrinkage.

High-Resolution Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Improves the Diagnostic Accuracy of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Sinonasal Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECT

The aim of the study was to evaluate the incremental value of high-resolution diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping compared with that of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) sinonasal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the characterization of benign versus malignant sinonasal tumors at 3.0T.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-eight patients (61 females, 37 males; mean age, 48 years) with sinonasal lesions who underwent high-resolution DW-MRI and DCE-MRI were included in this study. The lesions were divided into malignant and benign groups on the basis of pathological examination. In total, 58 malignant tumors and 40 benign tumors were evaluated. Apparent diffusion coefficients were acquired with 0 and 1000 s/mm b values. Semiquantitative parameters (time-signal intensity curve [TIC] type, time of peak enhancement within the first 2 minutes [Tpeak], peak percentage enhancement within the first 2 minutes [PEpeak], the last time point percentage enhancement [PElast], and the washout percentage-enhancement difference [PEwashout]) were derived from DCE-MRI. The DCE-MRI parameters and ADCs were included in multivariate models to predict a diagnosis of a benign versus malignant lesion.

RESULTS

The accuracy using semiquantitative DCE-MRI parameters alone was 70.4% (0.693 area under the ROC curve, 57.5% sensitivity, 79.3% specificity). Adding absolute ADCs to dynamic contrast-enhanced MR data showed the higher diagnostic accuracy of 85.7% (0.873 area under the ROC curve, 85.0% sensitivity, 86.2% specificity). Moreover, the absolute ADCs differed significantly between the benign (mean [SD] ADC, 1.211 [0.32] × 10 mm/s) and malignant (mean [SD] ADC, 0.702 [0.28] × 10 mm/s) sinonasal tumors (P < 0.001). In addition, a significant difference was found between the ADC values of malignant and benign lesions in washout enhancement TICs (t = 7.039, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

High-resolution DWI with ADC mapping significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic contrast-enhanced sinonasal MRI at 3.0T. In addition, ADC values could distinguish benign lesions from malignant tumors in washout enhancement TICs.

Differential Diagnosis of Necrotizing Sinonasal Lesions

CONTEXT

A number of entities may result in necrosis in the sinonasal tract and lead to significant morbidity and mortality. These include infections, necrotizing vasculitis, neoplastic processes, and drug dependency. This review will concentrate on the differential diagnosis of sinonasal necrotizing lesions.

OBJECTIVE

To review the differential diagnoses of necrotizing destructive lesions of the sinonasal tract.

DATA SOURCES

The current literature was reviewed to provide updated information regarding the differential diagnosis of sinonasal necrotizing lesions, including infectious disease processes; antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitides; neoplastic processes, particularly natural killer/T-cell lymphomas; and drug abuse.

CONCLUSIONS

The differential diagnosis of necrotizing sinonasal lesions is broad, with often overlapping diagnostic features that lead to diagnostic challenges. Ancillary tests such as special stains and immunohistochemical studies can offer significant assistance.

Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses

The nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses occupy the top of the upper respiratory tract and form pneumatic spaces connected with the atmosphere. They are located immediately beneath the base of the cranium, where crucial vital structures are harbored. From this region, very much exposed to airborne agents, arise some of the more complex and rare benign and malignant lesions seen in humans, whose difficulties in interpretation make this remarkable territory one of the most challenging in the practice of surgical pathology.

Contents of this chapter cover inflammations and infections, polyps and pseudotumors, fungal and midfacial destructive granulomatous lesions, as well as benign, borderline, and malignant neoplasms. Among the neoplasms, emphasis is made on those entities characteristic or even unique for the sinonasal region, such as Schneiderian papillomas, glomangiopericytoma, intestinal- and non-intestinal-type adenocarcinomas, olfactory neuroblastoma, nasal-type NK-/T-cell lymphoma, and teratocarcinosarcoma. Moreover, recently recognized entities involving this territory, i.e., HPV-related non-keratinizing carcinoma, NUT carcinoma, and SMARCB1-deficient basaloid carcinoma, are also discussed in the light of their specific molecular findings. Furthermore, the text is accompanied by numerous classical and recent references, several tables, and 100 illustrations.

The role of systemic therapy in the management of sinonasal cancer: A critical review

PURPOSE

Due to the rarity and the variety of histological types of sinonasal cancers, there is a paucity of data regarding strategy for their optimal treatment. Generally, outcomes of advanced and higher grade tumors remain unsatisfactory, despite the employment of sophisticated surgical approaches, technical advances in radiation techniques and the use of heavy ion particles. In this context, we critically evaluated the role of systemic therapy as part of a multidisciplinary approach to locally advanced disease.

RESULTS

Induction chemotherapy has shown encouraging activity and could have a role in the multimodal treatment of patients with advanced sinonasal tumors. For epithelial tumors, the most frequently employed chemotherapy is cisplatin, in combination with either 5-fluorouracil, taxane, ifosfamide, or vincristine. Only limited experiences with concurrent chemoradiation exist with sinonasal cancer. The role of systemic treatment for each histological type (intestinal-type adenocarcinoma, sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinoma, olfactory neuroblastoma, sinonasal primary mucosal melanoma, sarcoma) is discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of SNC requires a multimodal approach. Employment of systemic therapy for locally advanced disease could result in better outcomes, and optimize the therapeutic armamentarium. Further studies are needed to precisely define the role of systemic therapy and identify the optimal sequencing for its administration in relation to local therapies.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the sinonasal region

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the sinonasal region, which are relatively uncommon but clinically very important, are reviewed here in the light of current knowledge. Using a definition for neuroendocrine based on phenotypic, histologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic features rather than histogenetic criteria, sinonasal neuroendocrine carcinomas are examined with a particular emphasis on the small-cell and large-cell subtypes. This is followed by revisiting olfactory neuroblastoma because it is also a tumor that shows a neuroendocrine phenotype. Kadish clinical and Hyams histologic grading systems as prognosticators of olfactory neuroblastoma are also considered in detail. Finally, controversies regarding sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma as a neuroendocrine tumor are discussed and a possible relationship with high-grade olfactory neuroblastoma is explored. Genetic events and current management of these tumors are also outlined. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2259-E2266, 2016.