A Case of Cavernous Hemangioma Originating from the Posterior End of Inferior Turbinate Misdiagnosed as the Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma

ABSTRACT

Differential diagnoses of the nasopharyngeal mass in an adolescent or in a young adult include the nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, hemangioma, antrochoanal polyp, or, in rare cases, malignant disease. A twenty one-year-old male patient visited our department with aggravated symptoms of left nasal obstruction and frequent epistaxis, which originated three years ago. Endoscopic examinations revealed a dark pinkish mass with bleeding tendency in the left nasopharynx and it was also observed in the right side due to its huge size. At first, we suspected a nasopharyngeal angiofibroma and evaluations including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed. These studies showed a highly vascular mass confined in the nasopharynx. However, its origin was uncertain. After an angiography with embolization of feeding vessels, the mass was removed endoscopically. Unexpectedly, its origin was the posterior end of the left inferior turbinate, and the diagnosis of a cavernous hemangioma was confirmed with histopathological findings.