Pedunculated cavernous hemangioma originating in the olfactory cleft

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Pathology
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Sinonasal cavernous hemangiomas are rare benign vascular tumors.
• They typically occur on the lateral nasal wall, but this case presents a unique origin.

Observation:

• A 77-year-old male experienced severe epistaxis, nasal congestion, and olfactory dysfunction.
• Endoscopic examination revealed a large, red-blue tumor filling the nasopharynx, initially mimicking juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.
• The tumor was surgically removed and identified as a cavernous hemangioma originating from the left olfactory cleft.

Findings:

• Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma.
• This represents the first reported case of an olfactory cleft cavernous hemangioma.
• It is also the first report of olfactory cleft disease associated with a cavernous hemangioma.

Implications:

• This case expands the known anatomical locations for sinonasal cavernous hemangiomas.
• It underscores the importance of considering vascular tumors in the differential diagnosis of nasopharyngeal masses.
• Further research may be needed to understand the specific etiology and management of olfactory cleft hemangiomas.