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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Identification of OTX1 and OTX2 As Two Possible Molecular Markers for Sinonasal Carcinomas and Olfactory Neuroblastomas
Published on: February 28, 2019
Absence of Epstein-Barr virus in olfactory neuroblastoma
Sheng-Lan Wang1, Shau-Hsuan Li, Wan-Tzu Chen
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, and Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
Aims:
The sinonasal region is a frequent site for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) related tumours, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma and malignant lymphoma. Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare neoplasm, arises from olfactory epithelium, is found in the upper nasal cavity, and may be confused morphologically with the above tumours. Our aim was to determine whether EBV is associated with olfactory neuroblastoma.
Methods:
We collected tissue samples for 16 olfactory neuroblastomas over an 11-year period at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. Diagnoses were confirmed from pathological review and immunohistochemistry. We used in situ hybridisation for EBV encoded small RNAs in those tumours.
Results:
None of the epithelial cells in the 16 cases of olfactory neuroblastoma was positive for EBV.
Conclusions:
EBV does not play a major role in the aetiology of olfactory neuroblastoma.
