Clinical characteristics of primary extra-nodal malignant lymphoma in ear, nose and pharynx / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyse the clinical characteristics of primary extra-nodal malignant lymphoma of the ear, nose and pharynx in order to improve the diagnosis of the disease. Methods Clinical characteristics of primary extra-nodal malignant lymphoma of the ear, nose and pharynx were analysed retrospectively in 16 patients. Especially that of the middle ear and paranasal sinuses, which were rare in occurrence. Results There was one patient with lymphoma of the middle ear, presenting otalgia, chronic secretory otitis media (conductive hearing loss) and facial nerve palsy as main symptoms. Seven patients of lymphoma of tonsils showed hypertrophy of the tonsil and foreign body sensation in pharynx as main symptomatology. Two patients of lymphoma in the nose and paranasal sinus complained of bloody rhinorrhea, odorous discharge, and inferior turbinate hypertrophy. The patients suffering from nasopharyx lymphoma always complained of headache and bloody rhinorrhea. Oropharyngeal lymphoma always presented symptoms of pharyngalgia, fever, soft palate ulcer, and ozostomia. Conclusion The keys to make a correct diagnosis of extra-nodal lymphoma of the ear, nose, or pharynx are to become familiar with their clinical characteristics and to perform a prompt biopsy.