Prevalence and Clinico-Pathological Profiles of Sinonasal Masses among Patients with Sinonasal Symptoms seen in Ear Nose and Throat Department at Mulago Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: A mass in the sinonasal tract is a condition commonly seen in ENT outpatient, it occurs in all age groups. Sinonasal masses have various differential diagnoses, including; congenital masses, inflammatory polyps, benign neoplastic and malignant neoplastic masses. Their clinical presentation may be the same, so a detailed history, physical examination, nasal endoscopy, radiological and histopathological examination are required to reach the diagnosis. Early diagnosis is very important, especially in malignant sinonasal masses. Objective: To describe the prevalence, clinical presentations, and histopathological features of sinonasal masses among patients with sinonasal masses attending the ENT Department, Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH). Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional design study conducted for a period of 4 months in MNRH. The study employed a Consecutive sampling approach in enrolling patients with sinonasal masses. Biodata, symptoms, and signs related to the disease were documented. Computed tomography scan was done on all patients to know the site and the extent of the disease. Biopsy from the sinonasal mass was sent to the Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MAKCHS) pathology laboratory, for histopathological examination. Results: Out of 94 participants with sinonasal symptoms, 27 had a sinonasal mass giving a prevalence of 28.72%. An Age range of the patients with nasal masses was 8-76 with a male: female ratio 1:1.25. Most common presentations were a nasal obstruction (96.5%)Followed by nasal discharge (89.6%)of all patients with nasal mass. Out of 29 cases (52%) were nonneoplastic, (17%) were benign neoplastic, and (27%) were malignant neoplastic. Conclusion: Sinonasal masses can present in different forms and the commonest differential diagnosis is a nasal polyp. Malignant lesions are the second common sinonasal masses in our setting. Nasal obstruction is the most common clinical presentation in sinonasal masses. Early recognition of patients with sinonasal masses and referral to the ENT surgeons need to be advocated among primary care physicians. 1