[Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma]

Nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a rare benign neoplasm; it occurs almost exclusively in adolescent males. When confined to the nasopharynx, surgery is often curative. The authors report on an angiofibroma which presented with a swelling of a cheek. The tumor was located in the nasopharynx and extended to pterygopalatinal and infratemporal fossae. Radical removal of the tumor was performed without subsequent radiation. After 32 months the patient was readmitted for suspected recurrence. The removed tumor-like tissue proved to be of inflammatory origin. Two and a half years following treatment is the patient in good condition. Therapy of intracranially extending tumors as to surgery and/or radiation is discussed.