Learning objectives
To illustrate the imaging features of esthesioneuroblastoma on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Differentiating esthesioneuroblastoma from other commonly encountered nasal lesions.
Background
Esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB also known as olfactory neuroblastoma),
first described by Bergen et al.1 in 1924,
is a rare malignant tumour of neural crest origin which arises from the olfactory epithelium lining the upper third of the nasal septum,
the cribriform plates and the superior turbinates.1,2,3
It accounts for about ~3% of all the intranasal tumours.2,3,4 Its incidence shows a bimodal peak in second and sixth decades of life with age of patients ranging from 3-88 years,
however no gender predilection is seen.2,3,4 They are almost...
Findings and procedure details
In this essay,
we will discuss the CT and MRI findings in cases of esthesioneuroblastoma and their complementary role in staging of the disease using modified TNM staging.
Computed tomography:
CT protocol should include thin axial slices (1-5 mm thick) with IV contrast administration and reformation in both coronal and sagittal planes.3
ENB appears as homogeneous density soft tissue mass in the nasal vault,
which is iso-or slightly hyperdense to the surrounding muscles.
The mass shows moderate and uniform post contrast enhancement.3,4,5 Fig. 1
They...
Conclusion
Diagnosing nasal mass lesions can be challenging,
however having proper knowledge of the characteristic CT and MRI features of esthesioneuroblastoma its diagnosis can be made with certainty.
Personal information
Dr.
Kunal Arora
Senior Resident,
Dr.
DY Patil Hospital And Research Centre,
Navi Mumbai,
India
References
1)Berger L,
Luc H,
and Richard A (1924) Lâ esthesioneuroepitheliomeolfactif.
Bull Assoc Franc Etude Cancer 13: 410-421.
2)Schiro BJ,
Escott EJ,
McHugh JB,
Carrau RL.
Bone invasion by an esthesioneuroblastoma mimicking fibrous dysplasia.
Eur J Radiol 2008; 65:69-72.
3)Turakhia S,
Patel K.
Esthesioneuroblastoma.
Indian J Radiol Imaging 2006;16:669-72
4)HowellMC,BranstetterBF4th.,SnydermanCH.Patterns of regional spread for esthesioneuroblastoma.AJNR Am J Neuroradiol2011;32:929–33doi:10.3174/ajnr.A2401pmid:21349970
5)Dublin AB,
Bobinski M.
Imaging Characteristics of Olfactory Neuroblastoma (Esthesioneuroblastoma).J Neurol Surg B Skull Base.
2015;77(1):1-5.
6)Chidhara SP,
Venkateshwaran A.
Imaging of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma with Intracranial Extension.
Int...