Keywords
hemangioma - cavernous - rhinoplasty - natural orifice endoscopic surgery
Introduction
Subcutaneous hemangioma is a rare variant of slow-flow venous malformations.[1] It occurs in both adults and children and is more prevalent in females.[2] It shows an aggressive growth pattern, can occur in any part of the body, and sometimes
recurs after excision.[1]
[3]
[4] The clinical features include local whitening of the skin, followed often by the
formation of thin telangiectasias progressing to a cherry-red stain. They are usually
papular lesions of a variable thickness that may encompass both superficial and deep
layers of the dermis, including subcutaneous regions, giving the lesion a bluish aspect.[5]
[6] Nasal hemangiomas account for 15.8% of all the facial hemangiomas. The complications
caused by the tumor include uni- or bilateral nasal obstruction, changes in valve
and nasal septum, ulcerations, amblyopia, heart and respiratory failure, feeding difficulties,
bleeding, and infections, along other psychosocial factors.[7]
[8] The differential diagnosis includes lymphatic malformations, pyogenic granuloma,
gliomas, and other benign and malignant tumors.[9]
Objective
We report a case of localized subcutaneous cavernous hemangioma of the nasal dorsum
treated through endoscopic rhinoplasty.
Case Report
A 27-year-old woman was sent to an otolaryngology service in Blumenau/SC for evaluation
of a tumor mass in the midline of the nasal dorsum, with a history of worsening over
the past 2 years. The patient complained of nasal congestion associated with obstruction
and rhinorrhea. Physical examination revealed a tumor in the midline of the nasal
dorsum, with a fibroelastic, pulsatile, and motionless aspect, presenting hyperemia
of the skin color and no sign of ulceration ([Fig. 1]). The videoendoscopic exam showed a deviated nasal septum, hypertrophy of the inferior
turbinates, and bilateral hyaline rhinorrhea in the middle nasal meatus. The computed
tomography (CT) scan and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of the paranasal sinuses
and nasal cavity, with and without contrast, in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes
revealed a tumor restricted to the nasal dorsum, without evidence of intracranial
communicationto the nasal cavities, with little contrast impregnation ([Figs. 2] and [3]). Endoscopic rhinoplasty was planned for resection of the tumor, along with septoplasty
surgery and sinusotomy of the paranasal sinuses. The patient was treated in the hospital
under general anesthesia and orotracheal intubation. Closed rhinoplasty was performed,
with an intercartilaginous incision to approach the nasal dorsum, using an endoscopic
technique for complete resection of the subcutaneous tumor with a margin of safety
and preservation of the cutaneous tissue of the nasal dorsum ([Fig. 4]). Arteriography with superselective embolization, sclerotherapy, and laser were
not used beforehand or even during the surgical procedure. The pathologic diagnosis
was confirmed postoperatively as cavernous hemangioma of the nasal dorsum ([Fig. 5]). The patient was followed weekly for the first postoperative month, biweekly during
the second postoperative month, then monthly until the sixth month. While monitoring
every 6 months until postoperative year 3, there were no detectable signs of tumor
recurrence and the patient was satisfied with cosmetic and functional results.
Fig. 1 Front and profile photographs showing the detail of the tumor mass in the midline
of the nasal dorsum, along with fibroelastic, pulsatile, and motionless aspect, presenting
hyperemia of the skin.
Fig. 2 Computed tomography scan in sagittal plane identifying discrete area of contrast
enhancement of soft tissue in the nasal dorsum.
Fig. 3 Nuclear magnetic resonance in sagittal plane identifying discrete area of contrast
enhancement in the nasal dorsum.
Fig. 4 Intraoperative endoscopic visualization with 30-degree optic demonstrating complete
tumor resection of the nasal dorsum.
Fig. 5 Cavernous hemangioma: photomicrograph showing blood vessels juxtaposed with ample
light and fibrous wall lined by a single layer of endothelium. (Hematoxylin staining,
100 ×.)
Discussion
Cavernous hemangiomas are tumors formed by vascular ectasia. They can be located deeper
in the skin and mucous membranes, but also can involve deeper structures such as subcutaneous
tissue, muscle, bone. Hemangiomas may be localized or diffuse. In this case, we identified
a case of subcutaneous cavernous hemangioma with atypical clinical features on the
nasal dorsum; differential diagnosis should be done with all midline nasal tumors,
such as nasal gliomas, meningocele or meningoencephaloceles, dermoid cysts, teratomas,
sebaceous cysts, papillomas, lipomas, fibromas, and others.[10]
[11]
Although the diagnosis may be exclusively clinical on the superficial lesions, cavernous
hemangiomas can still be identified through the patient's history and by the lesion
characteristics on clinical examination. Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT, or
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are needed to confirm the vascular nature and identify
the venous, arterial, or lymphatic components and involvement of deeper structures.
Regardless, in atypical cases the diagnosis can be difficult.[12]
Hemangiomas are congenital malformations that are present since birth, when they are
still incipient. They evolve with progression proportional to the child's growth or
with an abrupt increase occurring from hormonal changes or local pressure or as a
result of injuries, which may explain the behavior in this case with such late growth.[4]
Radiologic studies are important in the investigation of lesions of the nasal dorsum
midline. Pensler cites that CT examination is essential to detect defects at the foramen
cecum and helps rule out intracranial communication in some cases.[13] According to Lusk et al, MRI may be more useful to assess soft tissue and intracranial
communication; furthermore, no radiation exposure is reported.[14] To Barkovich et al, MRI should be the test of choice for the “screening” of initial
patient with midline nasal mass. In this case, neither CT nor MRI elucidated connection
with the mass of the CNS.[15] Negative results on imaging studies, even with contrast, do not exclude the intracranial
communication.
The diagnosis and confirmation of nasal dorsum midline tumors were obtained through
pathologic examination; excisional biopsy is the gold standard procedure and an incisional
biopsy is never indicated, because it may lead to meningitis and cerebrospinal fluid
leak due to tumor communication and common intracranial bleeding of hemangiomas.[10]
[11] In this case, we obtained the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma postoperatively,
after the tumor resection.
Cavernous hemangiomas never involute and should always be treated. Treatment modalities
commonly employed in these cases are sclerotherapy and use of laser. Embolization
by superselective arteriography is restricted to cases with an arterial component
or arteriovenous fistula. The feasibility of removing a cavernous hemangioma depends
of the characteristics and where the lesion is located and must be indicated only
when it would not cause functional or aesthetic problems. The surgical approach was
considered exceptional in this circumstance because there was no preoperative diagnosis
and the case was treated as a midline tumor of the nasal dorsum. Yokoyama et al advocate
for endoscopic resection of tumor of the nasal midline when it has no intracranial
extension, because the external accesses are associated with aesthetic problems postoperatively.[11] Closed technique by endoscopic resection was chosen to obtain better aesthetic result
and provide greater safety of tumor resection and margins, without need of an external
incision and/or skin tissue resection of the nasal dorsum.
Conclusion
Endoscopic rhinoplasty has shown to be an appropriate technique for the resection
of tumors of the nasal dorsum, including cavernous hemangioma, presenting no signs
of recurrence and with aesthetic results superior to open techniques.
