Olfactory Neuroblastoma Treated by Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Resection and Postoperative Adjuvant Radiotherapy: A Representative Case and an Updated Review of the Literature

George X. Papacharalampous, Georgios P. Kotsis, Petros V. Vlastarakos, Elina P. Papadopoulou, Panayiotis K. Saravakos, Dimitrios I. Davilis

Department of General Surgery, General Hospital of Kefallonia, Argostoli, Greece.
ENT Department, Elpis General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
ENT Department, Lister Hospital, Stevenage, UK.

DOI: 10.4236/jct.2012.36140                

Abstract

This paper presents a case of an olfactory neuroblastoma, treated with minimally invasive endoscopic resection, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and critically reviews the current literature with regard to diagnosis and management of such malignancies. Olfactory neuroblastoma is considered to be an uncommon malignancy of the nasal cavity. The tumor arises from the specialized sensory epithelial olfactory cells, normally situated at the upper part of the nasal cavity, including the superior nasal concha, the roof of the nose and the cribriform plate. The imaging modality of choice is computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Combination of surgery and radiotherapy is considered to be the standard of care for primary site disease by the majority of researchers. Combined transfacial and neurosurgical conventional approaches are adopted in most cases, mainly due to the endocranial extension and the close anatomic relationship of esthesioneuroblastomas with the ethmoid roof and cribriform plate. However, recent literature supports that endoscopic resection correlates with similar oncologic control rates, compared with open surgery, when basic oncologic surgical principles are maintained.

Keywords

Olfactory Neuroblastoma; Endoscopic Surgery; Radiotherapy; Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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