Tumors of rhinopharynx. Our experience

Abstract

Lesions of rhinopharynx are difficult to diagnose due to the complex access to this area, except when they reach a greater size or when they present symptoms and/or signs secondary to the compression of adjacent structures or dissemination. The aim of this study was to analyze and to describe clinical cases of patients with rhinopharynx pathologies, with the purpose of giving new antecedents in an area where are few published studies, due to its low incidence. A cross-sectional descriptive study was made of 10 clinical cases of patients with rhinopharynx tumors, which were evaluated in the unit of Otoneurology of the Neurosurgery Institute (1999-2008). The median age was 52.5 years, and the time since the symptoms appear and the diagnosis was made was of 8.5 months. The most frequent causes were tumors of epithelial origin, but also osseous and lymphoid tumors were observed. Treatment was surgical and/or associated to complementary therapy. Due to the small number cases analyzed it is not possible to draw conclusions, nevertheless, it is important to have a high index of suspicion, given the unspecific symptom and signs that they may present, and ideally in the initial study of these patients it is necessary to perform an endoscopic evaluation.