Peripheral cysts: a distinguishing feature of esthesioneuroblastoma with intracranial extension

Ear Nose Throat J. 2009 Jun;88(6):E14.

Abstract

Esthesioneuroblastoma is a rare malignancy that arises in the olfactory epithelium. We report an interesting case of esthesioneuroblastoma in an 82-year-old man that included an unusual but characteristic imaging feature of this tumor: cysts at the tumor-brain interface. The patient declined primary surgical resection and elected to undergo primary radiation therapy. At 2 years of follow-up, he remained disease-free. The rarity of this tumor and its unique natural history can lead to a complicated assessment of the clinical picture. We review the diagnostic and treatment alternatives.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biopsy
  • Brain Diseases / pathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Cranial Fossa, Anterior / pathology
  • Cysts / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Endoscopy
  • Esthesioneuroblastoma, Olfactory / pathology*
  • Esthesioneuroblastoma, Olfactory / radiotherapy
  • Gadolinium
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Nose Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Nose Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Paranasal Sinuses / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Gadolinium