NASAL HAMARTOMA - CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Nasal masses in the pediatric population present with nasal obstructio n, epistaxis and chronic rhinorrhea. We report on a 6-year-old boy wit h long-standing nasal obstruction. A large left nasal mass was evident on physical examination and CT scan. Techniques of functional endosco pic sinus surgery were used to resect the mass, which, on pathologic e xamination, proved to be a hamartoma. Hamartomas are non-neoplastic ma lformations, or inborn errors of tissue development. They are characte rized by an abnormal mixture of tissues indigenous to that area Of the body. Review of the literature revealed 5 previously reported cases o f nasal hamartomas, only 2 of these in children. Our case is unique in that the hamartoma arose from the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses; prev iously reported cases arose from the septum and vestibule. This is the first reported case treated using a functional endoscopic sinus surge ry approach.