Malignant nasal paraganglioma: a case report and review of the literature.

ABSTRACT

A rare case of malignant nasal paraganglioma is described. A 30 year old female patient presented with a one year history of bilateralnasal obstruction, nasal deformity and recurrent epistaxis. CT scan demonstrated an enhancing mass occupying both nasal cavities, right maxillary antrum and anterior ethmoid sinus. Histopathologic diagnosis was malignant paraganglioma. A total maxillectomy with excision of growth was performed. Post-operative radiotherapy and chemotherapy was given but patient expired before the completion of therapy. Nose being a rare site for paragangliomas, these lesions present a diagnostic challenge to histopathologists and clinicians alike. A review of the four previously described malignant nasal paragangliomas is also presented.