Koyela Mondal1, Asok Kumar Saha2, Palash Kumar Mandal3, Sumit Ray4, Debadatta Chakrabarty5,Barnali Maiti6, Siddhartha Kumar Das7, Diptanshu Mukharjee8
INTRODUCTION: Paranasal and extra-ocular orbital malignant tumors are comparatively rare in pediatric patients and difficult to diagnose early. Malignant lesions in this region tend to be locally aggressive, often presenting at an advanced stage. Non osseous, extra ocular orbital tumors represent a different histologic spectrum in children than in adults. AIMS: To study the spectrum of malignant lesions of paranasal sinuses and orbital area in patients under 18 years of age
. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective and prospective study was done from July 2004 to June 2014. Malignant paranasal and orbital neoplasms were recorded including clinico-radiological and cytological data. Review of histopathological slides along with immunohistochemistry (IHC) of selected cases were done.
RESULTS: Total 69 cases were recorded over the ten year period as per our inclusion criteria. Out of these, 46 (67%) patients presented with malignant paranasal neoplasm and 23 (33%) with orbital mass. Most cases were found in the age group of 7-12 years, where females were preponderant. Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) was the commonest tumor arising in paranasal as well as in orbital area (33%). IHC aided the confirmation of our diagnoses.
CONCLUSION: Paranasal malignancy in the pediatric population often presents with non-specific symptoms, and high index of suspicion along with better diagnostic tools like computed tomography (CT) scan is necessary for a timely diagnosis. IHC should be done in all malignant neoplasms of pediatric population to arrive at a proper diagnosis, to facilitate proper management to these patients
