Diagnosis and management of esthesioneuroblastoma

Esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB), also known as olfactory neuroblastoma, is a rare malignant tumor that develops in the nasal cavity. It accounts for only 1.2% of malignant nasosinus tumor and arises from the olfactory epithelium.

This retrospective study presents olfactory neuroblastoma cases treated in our ENT department over a period of 36 years, from January 1986 to December 2023.

The study results indicate that the series consisted of 10 cases of olfactory neuroblastoma, with seven females and three males, and a mean age of 40 years. Based on the Kadish classification, 6 cases were classified as stage B, 3 as stage C, and 1 as stage D. Of the 8 patients who underwent surgery, 6 patients also received radiotherapy, while 2 cases were inoperable. After surgery followed by radiotherapy, complete remission was observed in 3 cases. Tumor progression was observed in 2 cases, after 8 and 3 months respectively and tumour recurrence was observed in one patient.

Although the imaging features of olfactory neuroblastoma are non-specific, there are patterns of disease that should strongly suggest and stage this disorder. This is fundamental for surgical planning.