Juvenile Fibromas of the Nasopharynx

Abstract

Juvenile nasopharyngeal fibromas are rare and benign. There would be no need to discuss them again were it not for the fact that they produce such alarming symptoms and present such serious problems in treatment. Injudicious surgical or radiologic treatment of such lesions can cause frightening hemorrhages, intracranial disturbances, and even death. The mere removal of a small piece of tissue from this type of lesion for microscopic examination occasionally can produce bleeding so profuse that ligation of the external carotid artery and the administration of blood are necessary. These tumors often are referred to as "nasopharyngeal angiofibromas," which is a good term in view of the fact that the vascular elements in many of these neoplasms are more prominent than the fibrous component. Juvenile fibromas arise from the base of the skull and are attached to the vault of the nasopharynx, usually by a broad, sessile base. Although they