Open AccessWarthin Tumor of Nasolacrimal Duct
Author(s) -
Ahmadi Neda,
Grant Nazaneen N.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599811415823a82
Subject(s) - medicine , nasolacrimal duct , nasal cavity , nasolacrimal duct obstruction , presentation (obstetrics) , surgery , differential diagnosis , radiology , pathology
Objective 1) Review anatomy of the nasolacrimal apparatus. 2) Learn about common primary tumors of the nasolacrimal apparatus and their clinical presentation. 3) Present a rare type of nasolacrimal duct tumor. 4) Discuss the utility of combined endoscopic and external techniques for removal of nasolacrimal duct tumors. Method Retrospective case report and review of literature. Results A 67‐year‐old woman presented with cough and post‐nasal drip. Examination revealed a right‐sided nasal cavity mass anterior to the middle turbinate. Upon further questioning, she reported a history of right nasal dorsal pain, but denied epiphora, epistaxis, and ocular symptoms. Imaging revealed a mass originating from the right nasolacrimal duct with extension into the right peri‐orbital soft tissues. The tumor was completely excised via combined endoscopic and external approaches. Histopathologic examination identified the lesion as Warthin tumor. At 1 year postoperatively, the patient is disease‐ and symptom‐free. Conclusion Primary tumors of the nasolacrimal apparatus are rare. These tumors must be in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with nasal obstruction, epiphora, and nasal‐cavity mass. It is important for otolaryngologists to be familiar with the different pathologies that involve the nasolacrimal apparatus and their clinical presentation.