Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Presenting as a Paranasal Sinus Mass: The Importance of Differential Diagnosis

Metastases in the paranasal sinuses are rare; renal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer that metastasizes to this region. We present the case of a patient with a 4-month history of a rapidly growing mass of the nasal pyramid following a nasal trauma, associated with spontaneous epistaxis and mu...

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Main Authors: Massimo Ralli, Giancarlo Altissimi, Rosaria Turchetta, Mario Rigante
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2017-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Otolaryngology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/9242374
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author Massimo Ralli
Giancarlo Altissimi
Rosaria Turchetta
Mario Rigante
author_facet Massimo Ralli
Giancarlo Altissimi
Rosaria Turchetta
Mario Rigante
author_sort Massimo Ralli
collection DOAJ
description Metastases in the paranasal sinuses are rare; renal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer that metastasizes to this region. We present the case of a patient with a 4-month history of a rapidly growing mass of the nasal pyramid following a nasal trauma, associated with spontaneous epistaxis and multiple episodes of hematuria. Cranial CT scan and MRI showed an ethmoid mass extending to the choanal region, the right orbit, and the right frontal sinus with an initial intracranial extension. Patient underwent surgery with a trans-sinusal frontal approach using a bicoronal incision combined with an anterior midfacial degloving; histological exam was compatible with a metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Following histological findings, a total body CT scan showed a solitary 6 cm mass in the upper posterior pole of the left kidney identified as the primary tumor. Although rare, metastatic renal cell carcinoma should always be suspected in patients with nasal or paranasal masses, especially if associated with symptoms suggestive of a systemic involvement such as hematuria. A correct early-stage diagnosis of metastatic RCC can considerably improve survival rate in these patients; preoperative differential diagnosis with contrast-enhanced imaging is fundamental for the correct treatment and follow-up strategy.
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spelling doaj-art-51d36d48530a48d89647e2191fc733ee2025-08-20T02:05:41ZengWileyCase Reports in Otolaryngology2090-67652090-67732017-01-01201710.1155/2017/92423749242374Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Presenting as a Paranasal Sinus Mass: The Importance of Differential DiagnosisMassimo Ralli0Giancarlo Altissimi1Rosaria Turchetta2Mario Rigante3Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Sense Organs, Audiology Section, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Sense Organs, Audiology Section, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, ItalyMetastases in the paranasal sinuses are rare; renal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer that metastasizes to this region. We present the case of a patient with a 4-month history of a rapidly growing mass of the nasal pyramid following a nasal trauma, associated with spontaneous epistaxis and multiple episodes of hematuria. Cranial CT scan and MRI showed an ethmoid mass extending to the choanal region, the right orbit, and the right frontal sinus with an initial intracranial extension. Patient underwent surgery with a trans-sinusal frontal approach using a bicoronal incision combined with an anterior midfacial degloving; histological exam was compatible with a metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Following histological findings, a total body CT scan showed a solitary 6 cm mass in the upper posterior pole of the left kidney identified as the primary tumor. Although rare, metastatic renal cell carcinoma should always be suspected in patients with nasal or paranasal masses, especially if associated with symptoms suggestive of a systemic involvement such as hematuria. A correct early-stage diagnosis of metastatic RCC can considerably improve survival rate in these patients; preoperative differential diagnosis with contrast-enhanced imaging is fundamental for the correct treatment and follow-up strategy.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/9242374
spellingShingle Massimo Ralli
Giancarlo Altissimi
Rosaria Turchetta
Mario Rigante
Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Presenting as a Paranasal Sinus Mass: The Importance of Differential Diagnosis
Case Reports in Otolaryngology
title Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Presenting as a Paranasal Sinus Mass: The Importance of Differential Diagnosis
title_full Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Presenting as a Paranasal Sinus Mass: The Importance of Differential Diagnosis
title_fullStr Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Presenting as a Paranasal Sinus Mass: The Importance of Differential Diagnosis
title_full_unstemmed Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Presenting as a Paranasal Sinus Mass: The Importance of Differential Diagnosis
title_short Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Presenting as a Paranasal Sinus Mass: The Importance of Differential Diagnosis
title_sort metastatic renal cell carcinoma presenting as a paranasal sinus mass the importance of differential diagnosis
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/9242374
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