Angiofibroma

This is a coronal CT image showing a angiofibroma. The lesion is filling the left nasal cavity and ethmoid sinus, blocking the maxillay sinus, and causes the septum to deviate to the right. This image is from http://www.emedicine.com/ENT/topic470.htm. A angiofibroma is a benign vascoformative tumor occuring mostly is adolescent males. These tumors contain testosterone receptors and may grow during testosterone administration. Angiofibromas arise from the wall of the nasal cavity. The symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumor. The tumor can cause periodic nosebleeds, facial swelling, nasal congestion, hyponasal speech, or otorrhea. The tumor is diagnosed by having a CT scan, MRI scan, or a sinus xray. They can be treated by surgically removing them or radiation treatments if it extends into the cranium.