Ophthalmic Presentation and Outcomes for Malignant Sinonasal Tumors

To evaluate the ophthalmic clinical features and functional outcomes for patients with malignant sinonasal tumors who initially presented with orbital symptoms.

Retrospective chart review for patients seen at Moorfields Eye Hospital between 1997 and 2020. Patient demographics and clinical features, radiology, histology, and treatment outcomes were reviewed.

Forty patients (22 females; 55%) with sinonasal cancers first presented to an ophthalmologist at an average age of 53.9 years (median 56; range 8-92 years), with their having had first symptoms at 53.6 years (median 55.8; range 7.8-91.9 years). The commonest symptoms were persistent periorbital ache (19/40; 48%), periocular swelling (18; 45%), proptosis (16; 40%), and diplopia (15; 38%). All midface tumors affected only 1 orbit, and 13 of 40 (33%) eyes presented with an acuity of 20/60 or worse-5 having no perception of light-and 10 eyes (25%) had a relative afferent pupillary defect. An average of 4.5 mm relative exophthalmos was present (median 4 mm; range 0-9 mm), and a palpable mass in 19 of 40 (48%) orbits. Reduced eye movements and nonaxial displacement were recorded in 29 (73%) and 34 (85%) patients, respectively, and 9 (23%) had an abnormal optic disc or fundus. Bone erosion affected 95% of orbits, and almost a half had involvement of the neighboring extraocular muscles, orbital apex, or intracranially. The commonest tumor groups were sinonasal carcinomas (45%), sarcomas (28%), or lymphomas (11%). Of 37 globe-sparing treatments, 25 (68%) had persistence of previously impaired ophthalmic functions and 6 of 37 (16%) developed new impairment; only 6 of 37 (16%) of affected orbits retained normal function, and 6 patients lost all vision on the affected side.

Sinonasal malignancies that present with orbital invasion are probably at the more aggressive end of the cancer spectrum, might be expected to carry a worse prognosis, and usually arise from the ethmoid or maxillary sinuses. In our series, carcinomas and sarcomas were the commonest malignancies, with similar 5-year overall survivals (of just over 50%), and over three-quarters of patients developed permanent impairment of orbital function and/or visual loss.