Lobular Capillary Hemangioma of the Nasal Cavity: A Retrospective Study of 15 Cases in Taiwan

Abstract

Background:Lobular capillary hemangioma of thenasal cavity is an uncommon benign vascular tumor ofunknown etiology. There have been only very few case reports in Taiwan. Aims:Thisstudy aimed toanalyze theclinical features, radiologi-calfindings, treatment modalities, andoutcome oflobular capillary hemangioma treated at a teaching hospital in Taiwan during a period of 10 years. Study Design: Descriptive study.Methods:Retrospective chart reviews were performed onpatients whowere diagnosed withlobular capillary hemangioma ofthena-salcavity at Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, from January 2003 toDecember 2012. Data retrieved in-cluded age,gender, clinical symptoms, computed tomography (CT) findings, treatment modalities, and outcome for further analysis.Results:Ofthe15patients identified, there were fivemales and tenfemales ranging from 17to 86years ofage,witha mean ageof 43.8±20.2. Epistaxis wasthemostcommon presenting symptom. All patients presented a unilateral nasal lobular capillary hemangioma. Themost commonly affected sitewastheanterior nasal septum, followed bytheinferior turbinate, vestibule, middle turbinate, and posterior nasal septum. Alllesions presented assofttissue density without bony erosions under CT examination. Endoscopic excisional surgery (n=12) orclassical local excision (n=3) wasperformed for complete removal ofthehemangioma. Noevidence ofrecurrence was observed with 6 to 75 months of follow-up.Conclusion:Lobular capillary hemangioma ofthenasal cavity was usually found tooccur inanterior septum withepistaxis. Complete excision withendoscopic surgery or classical localexcision wasrec-ommended and recurrence can be prevented.