NASOPHARYNGEAL CASTLEMANS-DISEASE

A 19-year-old male was admitted to our clinic because of nasal obstruc tion and intermittent postnasal drip of 3 to 4 years' duration. Physic al examination revealed a wide-based, smooth-surfaced nasopharyngeal t umor which was suspected to be a nasopharyngeal angiofibroma after exa mination of computed tomographic scans and an angiogram. However, afte r the tumor was removed by surgical excision via a transpalatal approa ch, the pathologic examination revealed Castleman's disease of the hya line-vascular type. There was neither evidence of recurrence nor nasal problems at 4 years' follow-up. To our knowledge, Castleman's disease , or angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia, may present as a local or generalized tumor-like condition, usually in the chest or abdomen, an d may involve both the lymph nodes and non-nodal tissues. A review of previous articles reveals that there has not been any report of Castle man's disease found in the nasopharynx. This rare disorder is presente d and discussed.