Clinicopathological Presentations and Management Outcomes of Unilateral Sinonasal Masses at a Tertiary Institution in Nigeria

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Unilateral sinonasal mass remains a common pathology and management is a prerequisite for effective outcome. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology, clinicopathological pattern and management outcomes of unilateral sinonasal masses at a tertiary centre in Nigeria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective and hospital-based study of consented patients with unilateral sinonasal masses in Ear, Nose and Throat Department of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria, carried out from January 2011 to December 2020. Data were obtained using the assisted self-administered structured questionnaire. RESULTS: All the studied age groups had unilateral sinonasal masses with peak age groups of >50 years at 41.1%. The second and third recurrent episodes occurred in 10.7% and 3.6%, respectively. The most common nasal manifestations were nasal blockage (71.4%). Majority of the extranasal manifestations were otological (39.3%) and ocular (7.1%). The most common affected nostril was the right nostril (62.5%). The most common site of origin was maxillary sinus (42.9%). Majority of the histological diagnoses were benign tumours in 71.4%. Majority of benign masses were inverted papilloma (32.1%) and majority of malignancies were squamous cell carcinoma (23.2%). Major surgical interventions were intranasal excisional biopsy (44.6%) and intranasal polypectomy (17.9%). There were 3.6% recurrence and 1.8% mortality recorded in this study. CONCLUSION: Unilateral sinonasal mass is common and it can affect any of the nostril, with late presentations due to pre-hospital self-treatment. It could be benign or malignant and mainly surgical excision and chemo-radiotherapy are the treatment options in malignant types. Health education is advised to encourage early presentation and prompt treatment.