Carcinoma of sphenoid sinus in young individual - Case report

Neoplasms of paranasal sinuses account for 0.2-0.8% of all cancers and for 2-3% of head and neck cancers. Primary involvement of sphenoidal sinus is very rare and has been reported to occur only in 1-2% of all paranasal sinus tumors. Unlike neoplasms of other paranasal sinuses, tumors of sphenoid sinus most commonly cause headache, visual disturbances and cranial neuropathies. The most common histological types reported include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and lymphoma. We describe a case of 17-years-old male who presented with headache and difficulty in eye movements. Magnetic resonance contrast study showed an enhancing mass in sphenoid sinus infiltrating to cavernous sinus. Endoscopic intranasal biopsy was done. The histological diagnosis was poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. He underwent chemoradiation. While undergoing treatment his vision got deteriorated. Follow-up Magnetic resonance imaging revealed intracranial and intraorbital extension of disease. The purpose of presenting this case report is that very few cases are reported in the world literature so far of sphenoid malignancy in this age group.