Hemangio Pericytoma of the Nasal Cavity

Abstract

Hemangiopéricytoma (HP) is a rare, slow growing intranasal vascular tumour. Initially not very symptomatic, it is difficult to diagnose. The clinician should be alerted by a persistent unilateral nasal symptomatology and by the endoscopic appearance of a gray polypoid tumor. The diagnosis of certainty is histological, but biopsies are delicate, given the risk of hemorrhaging. The malignant potential of this tumor involves surgical removal. The pre-therapeutic assessment includes a naso-sinus scanner with iodine injection and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Some propose arteriography with pre-operative embolization. The reference surgical technique remains the para-latero-nasal pathway but endoscopic excisions have recently been reported.