Histopathological Profile of Nasal Cavity, Paranasal Sinuses, and Nasopharyngeal Masses in Hill State of Himachal Pradesh, India

Introduction: Nasal masses are common finding in the ear, nose, and throat outpatient department. Most patients present with complaints of nasal obstruction. A sinonasal mass can have various differential diagnoses. They may be congenital, inflammatory, neoplastic (benign or malignant), or traumatic in nature. A careful histopathological examination is necessary to decide the nature of any particular lesion. Materials and methods: The retrospective study was carried out between January 2011 and December 2013. A total of 185 cases diagnosed with masses of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and nasopharynx were included. Data from histopathological records were retrieved to confirm the diagnosis. Observations: Among 185 cases, 75% were non-neoplastic and 25% were neoplastic. Among neoplastic masses, 57% were benign and 43% were malignant. The age of presentation ranged from first to eighth decade of life (mean age 37.74 years). The lesions had a stronger predilection for males (1.68:1). Among non-neoplastic lesions, nasal polyp was the commonest lesion followed by ethmoidal mucocele (1.44%) and lupus vulgaris (0.72%). Among benign lesions, inverted papilloma (30.77%) and nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (30.77%) were the commonest followed by capillary hemangioma (15.38%), osteoma (7.68%), nasopharyngeal lymphoepithelioma (3.85%), chondroma (3.85%), pleomorphic adenoma (3.85%), and schwannoma (3.85%). Squamous cell carcinoma (40%) was the commonest malignant neoplastic lesion observed followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma (20%), malignant melanoma (15%), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (10%), esthesioneuroblastoma (10%), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (5%). Conclusion: Among the noninflammatory lesion, nasal polyp is the commonest lesion. Nasal polyps are more common in hilly area may be due to exposure to pine pollens. There is no difference in the histopathological profile of benign and malignant lesions.