Glomangiopericytoma: a case series with review of literature

A case report of sinonasal glomangiopericytoma: An important reminder to always collect specimen

OBJECTIVES

To present a case report of sinonasal glomangiopericytoma (GPC) in a female patient in her thirties and to highlight the importance of collecting pathology specimens even in routine sinus surgery cases.

METHODS

A case report detailing the diagnosis of GPC in a female in her thirties, including her initial presentation, treatment, and follow-up, along with a brief review of the literature.

RESULTS

Pathology of the collected specimen revealed sinonasal GPC along with chronic rhinosinusitis. Immunohistochemistry was positive for SMA, beta-catenin, and cyclin D1; and negative for STAT6, ERG, pankeratin, SOX10, and S100.

CONCLUSION

This diagnosis expands the knowledge around the demographic profile of GPC patients. GPC should be included in the differential diagnosis of sinonasal masses, even in younger patients. The case highlights the importance of collecting the entire pathology specimen in all cases, even of ones that seem routine and benign.

International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal neoplasms, whether benign and malignant, pose a significant challenge to clinicians and represent a model area for multidisciplinary collaboration in order to optimize patient care. The International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors (ICSNT) aims to summarize the best available evidence and presents 48 thematic and histopathology-based topics spanning the field.

METHODS

In accordance with prior International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology documents, ICSNT assigned each topic as an Evidence-Based Review with Recommendations, Evidence-Based Review, and Literature Review based on the level of evidence. An international group of multidisciplinary author teams were assembled for the topic reviews using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses format, and completed sections underwent a thorough and iterative consensus-building process. The final document underwent rigorous synthesis and review prior to publication.

RESULTS

The ICSNT document consists of four major sections: general principles, benign neoplasms and lesions, malignant neoplasms, and quality of life and surveillance. It covers 48 conceptual and/or histopathology-based topics relevant to sinonasal neoplasms and masses. Topics with a high level of evidence provided specific recommendations, while other areas summarized the current state of evidence. A final section highlights research opportunities and future directions, contributing to advancing knowledge and community intervention.

CONCLUSION

As an embodiment of the multidisciplinary and collaborative model of care in sinonasal neoplasms and masses, ICSNT was designed as a comprehensive, international, and multidisciplinary collaborative endeavor. Its primary objective is to summarize the existing evidence in the field of sinonasal neoplasms and masses.

Our Experience with Sinonasal Glomangiopericytoma in North India: A Case Series

Glomangiopericytoma (GPC) is a rare benign sinonasal tumor originating from Zimmerman's Pericytes surrounding capillaries and accounting for less than 0.05% of all sinonasal tumors. Glomangiopericytoma has low malignant potential (5-10%) and is mostly diagnosed in the 6th or 7th decade of age with slight female preponderance. We presented here a case series of 5 patients with sinonasal GPC. This research was conducted at a tertiary healthcare centre in North India. In our case series, all the patients were evaluated and underwent endoscopic surgical resection. All patients underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and preoperative embolization. The coblation technique used for haemostasis proved very effective and time-saving. All patients exhibited cytoplasmic SMA positivity (a marker of GPC) and CD34 negativity, while one patient exhibited a high Ki-67 index (> 10%), which is a predictor of aggressive tumor behavior. None of the patients showed any recurrence in follow-up. We recommend performing complete endoscopic surgical excision to prevent recurrence. The use of DSA, preoperative embolization, and intraoperative use of the coblation technique provides a cleaner surgical field and reduced operating time.

Sinonasal Glomangiopericytoma with Skull Base Involvement: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Introduction: Glomangiopericytoma (GPC) is a rare type of neoplasm with hemangiopericytoma-like vasculature and perivascular hyalinization of capillary-sized veins. CD34 and S100 protein staining might be positive in a small percentage of GPC. Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) present clinically like GPC. However, challenges remain when differentiating GPC from SFT. Case Presentation: A 37-year-old male, smoker, presented with 3 years history of right-sided epistaxis and nasal congestion. He was also complaining of hyposmia but no headaches or visual complaints. On nasal endoscopy, he was found to have a right-sided nasal mass occupying the ethmoid cavity. Computed tomography showed a right sinonasal mass abutting the anterior skull base and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a hyperintense, enhancing mass within the right ethmoid cavity, superior septum, and anterior skull base. The patient underwent endoscopic resection with gross total resection and skull base reconstruction. Postoperative pathology initially was thought to be an SFT; however, subsequent STAT6 expression was negative, and therefore GPC diagnosis was confirmed. At the most recent follow-up (6 months), the patient remained free of local disease. Discussion: SFT, unlike GPC, stains strongly for CD34, in this case, due to strong CD34, the diagnosis of SFT was initially made. Nuclear STAT6 expression is highly specific and sensitive for SFT. This later returned as negative; therefore, GPC was confirmed. Conclusion: We present a case of sinonasal GPC with skull base involvement that was treated with endoscopic resection. At the most recent follow-up (6 months), the patient remained free of local disease.

Sinonasal nodular fasciitis: report of a case with USP6 rearrangement

Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a benign myofibroblastic proliferation characterized by rapid growth, a self-limiting course, and USP6 gene rearrangement. Although it can arise in the head and neck region, very few cases of NF involving the sinonasal tract have been reported to date. Herein we report a case of NF involving the nasal cavity presenting as a polypoid well-defined mass causing obstructive symptoms in a male with a history of multiple local surgeries. Although the mass had an unusual clinical presentation, the histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with NF. Fluorescent in situ hybridization performed with break-apart probes flanking the USP6 locus on chromosome 17p13 revealed the presence of USP6 gene rearrangement. The patient remained free of disease 124 months after surgical treatment. Considering its remarkably benign behavior despite its alarming clinical and histologic features, the distinction of NF from sinonasal malignant tumors is essential.

A Combined Surgical Approach for the Treatment of a Sino-Naso-Orbital Glomangiopericytoma

Glomangiopericytomas are a rare type of sinonasal tumors with high relapse rates. Endoscopic sinus surgery is the classical technique to remove such tumors. Here we report a case of sinonasal glomangiopericytoma with orbital extension, infrequently described in the literature. A 50 year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of a right paranasal painless swelling, which appeared 9 months ago and was slowly increasing in size since her first visit. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor (18 × 25 × 37 mm) centered on the right ethmoidal cells, with adjacent nasal bone erosion and a right orbital invasion. The tumor was removed with a combined surgical approach (endoscopic and trans-sinusal frontal approach) after pre-surgical embolization. Based on the results of the histopathological examination, the diagnosis of a glomangiopericytoma was confirmed. The patient was discharged after one week, and an uneventful long-term follow-up.

Sinonasal Glomangiopericytoma: Review of Imaging Appearance and Clinical Management Update for a Rare Sinonasal Neoplasm

Introduction: Glomangiopericytoma (GPC) is a rare tumor in the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses with low malignant potential. Initially deemed a hemangiopericytoma, in 2005 it was classified as a distinct entity by the World Health Organization (WHO). Case Presentation: A male patient in his early 60s presented with new-onset right arm and leg weakness/numbness, who was incidentally found to have a left ethmoid sinus mass with extension in the olfactory fossa. On CT and MRI, the mass enhanced with well-defined borders and eroded the bone, but without dural enhancement. The mass was surgically excised, and pathology confirmed the diagnosis of glomangiopericytoma by microscopic appearance and staining. Discussion: Glomangiopericytoma has less than 0.5% incidence of all neoplasms of the sinonasal cavity, making it rare. Most diagnosed patients are in their 6th or 7th decade of age, with a slight female predominance. Treatment is complete surgical excision, with excellent prognosis, although there is up to 17% local recurrence. Despite the non-specific appearance on CT and MRI, imaging can help provide differential diagnosis, tumor extent, size, and reassuring non-aggressive characteristics of the tumor prior to surgery. GPC tumors are relatively resistant to radiation and chemotherapy. Conclusion: It is important to recognize glomangiopericytoma in the differential of masses of the nasal cavities or paranasal sinuses, as they rarely warrant aggressive treatment beyond local excision. Each reported case of glomangiopericytoma helps to build guidance for imaging and treatment since GPC is rare and not well-represented in the medical literature.

PIK3CA mutation in a case of CTNNB1 mutant sinonasal glomangiopericytoma

Glomangiopericytomas are rare, primary sinonasal tumors. The existing literature is mostly limited to reports describing the clinicopathologic characteristics of these tumors. Comprehensive genetic characterization of glomangiopericytomas remain lacking. Whole exome sequencing of a case of glomangiopericytoma was performed under an institutional review board approved protocol. A 69 year-old female underwent surgical resection of a glomangiopericytoma. Whole exome sequencing revealed somatic mutations in CTNNB1 and PIK3CA, the former previously associated with this pathology but the latter not described. Concurrent dysregulation of Wnt/beta-catenin and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, secondary to mutations in these two oncogenes may be amenable to targeted treatment with existing clinically approved drugs. Genomic characterization of glomangiopericytomas remains lacking. This study reports novel co-existence of PIK3CA and CTNNB1 mutations in a case of glomangiopericytoma that may offer insight into the pathogenesis and potential for targeted medical therapies of this rare tumor.