CT Sinus and Facial bones: Angiofibroma

What is it?

radpod.org

 

Angiofibroma is often known as a nasal tumor or  juvenile angiofibroma.  Juvenile angiofibroma is a growth on the back of the upper throat or nose, which is noncancerous. Juvenile angiofibroma is not very common and is often found in young boys.  The tumor contains blood vessels and causes bone damage.



Symptoms...

• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Easy bruising
• Frequent or repeated nosebleeds
• Hearing loss
• Nasal discharge, usually bloody
• Prolonged bleeding
• Stuffy nose

(Info above: http://www.pennmedicine.org/encyclopedia/em_DisplayArticle.aspx?gcid=001572&ptid=1)

medscape.com

Diagnosis

Juvenile angiofibroma can be diagnosed by several different methods.  The doctor can simply diagnose by examining the patients upper throat.  Also, CT scan or MRI scan can diagnose a patient's juvenile angiofibroma.  






Treatment
 

medscape.com

Treatments vary with juvenile angiofibroma.  Sometimes angiofibroma grow larger and can cause different problems with patients.  An angiofibroma can block an airway or cause an individual to have regular nosebleeds.  Sometimes individuals do not even need treatment, but other severe cases of angiofibroma need treatment.  Sometimes surgery or embolization may be required.  Surgery will remove the tumor completely; however, removal can be a challenge because of the position of the tumor.  The tumor is not enclosed and will spread to other areas.  Embolization may be chosen because it is a procedure that can prevent bleeding within the tumor.  Embolization would be the first option, but if the procedure didn't work then surgery would be the last option.  Even after surgery the tumor can still return.





For more information on angiofibroma, please visit:
http://www.pennmedicine.org/encyclopedia/em_DisplayArticle.aspx?gcid=001572&ptid=1

Ashli