Our experience with respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartomas of the olfactory cleft

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (REAH) is a relatively recent diagnosis that is gaining more interest in sinus surgery. REAH of the olfactory cleft was often misdiagnosed, and interpreted as nasal polyposis (NP). We present a retrospective case series of 27 patients who were diagnosed and treated for REAH of the olfactory cleft, in the past 7 years, in our department. The aim of this study is to present the diagnostic modalities and the results and follow-up after surgery. The male to female ratio was 2.9:1, with a mean age of 56 years. Almost half of these patients were operated at least once before on their sinuses. The most common presenting symptoms of isolated REAH are olfactory disorders. All cases were treated surgically with endoscopic sinus surgery, without recurrences in the follow-up period. Knowledge and identification of REAH of the olfactory cleft are fundamental. Knowledge, identification, and adequate treatment of these lesions are fundamental, as they limit the number of recurrences.