Inverted Papilloma of the Sphenoid Sinus: A Case Report

Introduction: Inverted papilloma is a benign and locally aggressive epithelial tumor that may cause bone destruction by erosion. Only 5% of the cases involves one sinus face exclusively. Recent studies observed the involvement in the sphenoid sinus in 6%.

Objectives: The study aims to report a case of a sinonasal inverted papilloma originated from the sphenoid sinus.

Resumed Report: A male patient, 76-year-old, complaining of frontal headache, nasal obstruction, anosmia, posterior rhinorrhea, and visual acuity preserved.

 The symptoms began about 6 months before surgery with a progressive worsening of nasal obstruction. Rhinoscopy showed a polypoid mass of irregular appearance.
The patient had a computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging that showed expansive lesion, originating from the sphenoid sinus, completely blocking this sinus and posterior ethmoid cells, the middle meatal and posterior nasal cavity. Endoscopic surgical approach was chosen and performed with complete removal of the tumor. The results for anatomic pathology has confirmed inverted papilloma schenneideriano.

Conclusions: Inverted papilloma of the sphenoid sinus is an uncommon entity. A careful evaluation, associated with imaging examination are essential for the diagnosis, which is confirmed by histology. Endoscopic surgical approach, when performed by an experienced surgeon, is favorable and less aggressive, decreasing the morbidity.