Endoscopic sinus surgery for juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a rare tumour of the head and neck with very specific characteristics: adolescent males, choana-nasopharynx, pterygomaxillary fossa widening, specific and intense vascularisation. Staging is very important in the decision of the surgical approach. Endoscopic management of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is technically possible after preoperative embolisation. Up to now 13 angiofibroma have been treated using the endonasal endoscopic sinus surgery approach in Belgium (Leuven 8; Mont-Godinne 2; Ghent 1; Liege 1; Woluwe 1). In smaller tumors endoscopic resection has been successful in four cases without any recurrence. Five larger tumors, extending in the pterygomaxillary fossa, were also successfully resected. Extension into the infratemporal fossa or the cavernous sinus can be endoscopically removed, but recurrences may occur as they do after classical, external approaches. In conclusion, the endoscopic approach is an acceptable alternative in small to middle sized juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.