Esthesioneuroblastoma located in the thoracic extradural space: Case report

Esthesioneuroblastoma accounted for only 6% of the malignant nasal cavity neoplasms (ENB) is a rare tumor which originates from the olfactory epithelium. ENB's are locally agresive and can metastasize by lymphatic and hematogenous routes. A patient with the mass on the nasal dorsum was reported in this article.

A 52-year-old-man admitted to the hospital with a 3 months history of progressive nasal obstruction, epistaxis and mass on the nasal dorsum. On rhinoscopy, a polypoid mass was seen in the both nasal cavity and intranasal biopsy with local anesthesia was performed. Histopathologic diagnosis of the tumor was Kadish stage B esthesioneuroblastoma. Tumor was excised by using bilateral endoscopic endonasal resection and lateral rhinotomy approach and paranasal radiotherapy performed postoperatively. Ten months after surgery, neck metastasis was occured and patient was underwent neck dissection. Twenteeth months after initial treatment, distant metastasis was identified on the T 10 vertebra and following the cranial and spinal radiotherapy to the neck he was free of local recurrence at follow up 13 months after surgery.

It has been known that the metastasis of the ENB to the spinal cord is an uncommon event, and it occurs often years after initial diagnosis. MRI scan is helpful for making the diagnosis, and surgery is the treatment of choice for obtaining diagnostic tissue and debulking the tumor. Radiotherapy is also a mainstay of postoperative treatment.