Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma: A Case Series Analysis

Background: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a rare benign vascular tumor of the nasopharynx that occurs exclusively in males of adolescent to young adult age and is most often managed surgically. The present study characterizes 41 cases of JNA treated surgically at our institution. We aimed to characterize patient demographics, anatomical location, and recurrence rates among cases treated with endoscopic, open or combination surgical approaches.

Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted of patients treated at our institution for a JNA between 1991 and 2023. Age at the time of surgery, type of surgery, anatomical extension, follow-up time after surgery, and recurrence of the tumor were abstracted.

Results: The retrospective study identified 41 patients with JNA. Of the 41 cases, 27 were treated endoscopically, 10 with an open approach, and 4 with a combination of open and endoscopic approaches. The average age at the time of surgery was 16 years, with an average follow up time of 4.9 years. Of the 41 patients who underwent surgery, 36 were primary surgeries and 5 were recurrences after management at an outside hospital. After treatment at our institution, the recurrence rate was 12.2%. Of the 5 recurrences, 4 were treated with a second surgery and 1 was treated with radiation therapy. In one case, there was a second recurrence, requiring a third surgery. The recurrence rate among cases managed endoscopically was 7.4%. The average time to recurrence was 2.2 years.

Discussion: JNA significantly impacts the quality of life of those affected, prompting investigation into the optimal surgical treatment for reducing recurrence risks. The present study characterizes this rare tumor and provides important data on recurrence rates of JNA treated with different surgical methods at our center. As endoscopic surgery has become the preferred method for resecting this tumor, we report our facility’s recurrence rate following endoscopic treatment for future comparison with those reported in other studies.

 

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No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
07 February 2025