Unilateral nasal pathologies: clinical presentation and management

Objective: To evaluate the histopathological examination results, frequency of lesions and associated symptoms in patients with established unilateral nasal pathology.

Methods: Medical records of 73 patients with unilateral nasal lesions who undergone histopathological examination were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical presentation, examination and radiological findings, treatment and follow-up process of the patients were evaluated.

Results: Neoplastic (n=16) and non-neoplastic (n=57) pathologies were detected in 73 patients. Non-neoplastic lesions consisted of inflammatory polyps (n=16), chronic sinusitis (n=11), anthrocoanal polyps (n=6) which were the most striking unilateral nasal pathologies. Neoplastic group (n=16) comprised of 2 malignant and 14 benign cases which were classified as adenocarcinoma (n=1), adenoid cystic carcinoma (n=1), inverted papilloma (n=8), hemangioendothelioma (n=1), capillary hemangioma (n=1), fibrous dysplasia (n=1), osteoma (n=1) and pyogenic granuloma (n=2). The most frequently observed symptom was unilateral nasal obstruction. Especially in cases with neoplasms, the frequency of epistaxis increased significantly (p<0.05).

Conclusion: In cases with unilateral sinonasal symptoms, neoplasias should be kept in mind. A detailed anamnesis, attentive endoscopic examination and appropriate radiological imaging modalities in suspected cases and recurrent biopsies in case of need can reveal underlying pathologies.