The use of biopsy in the evaluation of pediatric nasopharyngeal masses

Abstract

Pediatric nasopharyngeal tumors are rare, and few clinicians possess more than anecdotal experience. The differential diagnosis includes a diverse group of benign and malignant tumors, but can be narrowed further based on the clinical and radiographic appearance of the mass. Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma has such characteristic angiographic and CT imaging that many authors suggest biopsy is not essential in the evaluation of this lesion. We present a case of a pediatric nasopharyngeal neoplasm with angiographic, CT, and clinical findings consistent with angiofibroma. We then discuss the preoperative evaluation of, operative approach to, and postoperative staging and treatment of the biopsy-proven embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. A review of the literature pertinent to this case is presented, and recommendations made concerning biopsy of lesions resembling juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. We believe this report reaffirms the use of histologic study whenever possible, in addition to radiographic imaging, in the diagnosis of pediatric nasopharyngeal masses.