Transformation from Sinonasal Seromucinous Hamartoma to Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

Sinonasal seromucinous hamartoma: a single institution case series combined with a narrative review of the literature

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the clinical and histopathological characteristics of sinonasal seromucinous hamartomas (SHs).

METHODS

Eight patients with sinonasal SH and treated at a tertiary hospital between November 2005 and September 2023 were included. Additionally, a systematic review of published articles was conducted, analyzing 48 cases of SH described in the literature.

RESULTS

Among the eight patients treated at our institution, tumors originated from the posterior nasal cavity in four patients and middle turbinate and middle meatus were the primary origin in two patients each. Coexistence of inflammatory nasal polyps (NPs) was observed in four cases. Histopathologically, four patients exhibited focal respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (REAH) features, and low-grade dysplasia was found in one patient. A combined analysis with previous literature revealed that 46.3% of all cases originated in the anterior nasal cavity. The proportions of cases accompanied by NPs and those with focal REAH features were 20.5% and 39.1%, respectively. Additionally, the frequencies of cases exhibiting dysplastic features (5.4%) and recurrence (2.1%) were low. Remarkably, tumors originating from the anterior region tended to have a higher frequency of dysplasia than those originating from the posterior region, although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.0996).

CONCLUSION

Patients with sinonasal SH showed favorable treatment outcomes following surgical resection. Focal REAH features and accompanying NPs were frequently observed. A substantial proportion of cases originate in the anterior nasal cavity, and these tumors may exhibit a high tendency for dysplasia.

A Rare Case of Sinonasal Seromucinous Hamartoma Developing from the Nasal Septum

A 45-year-old man presented with a history of chronic left nasal congestion. Nasal endoscopy revealed a pedunculated polypoid mass with glandular epithelium surface on the posterior nasal septum. Computed tomography revealed a 25-mm mass-like growth in the left posterior nasal cavity attached to the nasal septum with a stalk. The patient underwent transnasal endoscopic surgery, and the tumor was removed under a block with safety margin. The final pathological diagnosis was sinonasal seromucinous hamartoma (SH). Sinonasal SH is a rare tumor with only 31 reported cases. Transnasal endoscopic surgery is currently the first-line treatment for sinonasal SH. Differential diagnoses of this lesion include inflammatory polyps, respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma, and adenocarcinoma. Although SH is a benign tumor, its progression to adenocarcinoma has been reported. Therefore, unilateral posterior nasal tumors must be diagnosed precisely.

Incidental seromucinous hamartoma of the anterior nasal cavity presenting after episode of vestibular neuritis

A woman in her 70s presented to primary care clinic complaining of acute onset dizziness for 1 day that was initially diagnosed as vestibular neuritis and treated with steroids. The next day, she presented to the emergency department with worsening symptoms. Imaging revealed no intracranial process; however, non-contrast CT imaging revealed a soft-tissue mass in the posterior ethmoid sinus. The vertigo completely resolved before an otolaryngologist surgically removed the nasal mass, which actually originated from the right cribriform plate and extended to the anterior middle turbinate head. The final pathology was consistent with seromucinous hamartoma.

Nasal Respiratory Epithelial Adenomatoid Hamartoma: Three Case Reports and Review of the Literature

Hamartomas, as non-true tumors, are commonly found in the lungs, digestive tract, and kidneys, and there are few clinical reports on nasal cases. Nasal histiocytosis accompanied by lymphatic lesions is a common feature of nasal hamartoma. Three patients with nasal cavity hamartoma were treated in our department, including 1 male and 2 females, with nasal obstruction or epistaxis. The imaging (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) of 2 patients showed a soft tissue mass in the nasal cavity and no erosion of bone, while in 1 patient, the imaging was inconclusive. The excised material in all patients was found to be a soft mass. The 3 cases showed the same pattern under histological examination, and all 3 patients were diagnosed with nasal cavity respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (REAH). Nasal hamartoma is a rare disease with nonspecific clinical manifestations and imaging features and is often misdiagnosed. Only by a better understanding of this disease can the rate of correct clinical diagnosis be improved.

Seromucinous Hamartoma of the Lateral Nasal Wall with Infiltration of the Orbit: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature

Seromucinous hamartoma is a rare benign glandular proliferation arising from the respiratory epithelium of the sinonasal tract and nasopharynx. It was described for the first time in 1974 by Baillie and Batsakis. Since then, few cases have been reported in the literature with most of them occurring in the posterior nasal septum. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman that presented to our department with left periorbital edema, pain, and dacryorrhea due to seromucinous hamartoma arising from the left inferior turbinate and extending through the lateral nasal wall into the maxilla, the nasolacrimal duct, and the orbit. Endoscopic medial maxillectomy and endoscopic transnasal orbital tumor resection were performed. The patient remains symptom-free for 16 months, till her most recent follow-up. Seromucinous hamartoma of the nasal cavity is an exceedingly rare diagnosis, especially in the lateral nasal wall. It should be included in the differential diagnosis of nasal tumors. According to the literature review, this is the first case report of seromucinous hamartoma with orbit infiltration. Endonasal endoscopic resection is the treatment of choice.

Tracheal Hamartoma: A Case Report

Hamartoma is the most frequently observed benign lung tumor, but its tracheal form is still exceptionally encountered. Cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, and chest pain are all possible symptoms of tracheal hamartoma. The non-specific symptoms may also lead to a delayed diagnosis, and while the choice of treatment varies depending on the size and location of the lesion, conservative treatments remain strongly recommended. This report presents the case of a 57-year-old male who presented to our department with inspiratory dyspnea. Clinico-radiological data and bronchoscopy revealed a benign tracheal tumor of the lipomatous hamartoma type. The patient underwent a tumor resection by rigid bronchoscopy with satisfactory clinical results.