Extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma originating from the nasal septum: a case report.

Angiofibromas (AFs) originate predominantly in the nasopharynx and posterior nasal cavity. The incidence of these lesions is less than 0.5% among all neoplasms of head and neck. They originate outside the nasopharynx rarely and can therefore be misdiagnosed. The nasal septum is an extremely rare site. Only four cases of extranasopharyngeal angiofibromas arising in the nasal septum have been reported so far. We report here a case of a vascular mass arising from the nasal septum in a 19-year-old boy which was extirpated by submucousal resection endonasally. Histopathology confirmed it to be a case of angiofibroma.

The role of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms in head and neck cancer risk.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a serious health problem worldwide and tobacco smoke is a main causative factor for this malignancy. Interindividual genetic differences in enzymes involved in the metabolism of tobacco smoke carcinogens are one of the most important risk factors in the development of HNC. GSTM1 and GSTT1 enzymes participate in detoxifying of tobacco smoke carcinogens and have deletion polymorphisms. We performed a case control study to investigate a possible association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 variants and HNC risk. A total of 98 HNC cases, all of which were squamous cell carcinoma, and 120 healthy controls were investigated. GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR. There was a significant association between HNC and GSTM1-null genotype (adjusted OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.303-4.26, p = 0.005). The frequency overall of GSTT1-null genotypes was not significant in HNC patients compared with that of GSTT1-positive genotypes (adjusted OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.563-2.397, p = 0.686). No combined effect was observed for GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes. When data were stratified by smoking status, cases having GSTM1-null genotype who were smokers conferred the highest risk (adjusted OR: 4.06, 95% CI: 1.3-12.63). Thus, our results suggest that GSTM1 polymorphism may significantly increase the risk of HNC and there is an additive interaction between GSTM1-null genotype and smoking on HNC risk.

Oral and intralesional steroid therapy in giant cell granuloma.

Giant cell granulomas account for 7% of all benign tumors of the jaw. They are commonly seen as asymptomatic masses. A 4-year-old boy with an exophitic, crusty, hemorrhagic mass on the anterolateral region of the right maxilla was referred to our department. Pathological examination was reported as giant cell granuloma. A mixture of prednisolone, lidocaine and adrenaline was injected intralesionally once a week and oral fluocortone was added to this therapy. A limited surgery could be performed. Intralesional prednisolone and systemic fluocortone therapy seems to be effective, as the lesion stopped growing and increase in bony structures was observed radiologically.

Unusual location of hydatid cyst: soft tissue mass in the neck.

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation caused by the larval form of the cestode worm Echinococcus. The most commonly encountered form of the disease is visceral hydatid cyst caused by Echinococcus granulosus or dog tapeworm. We hereby represent an unusual case of hydatid disease located in the neck region in a 22-year-old female patient.