Usefulness of histological evaluation of excised nasopharyngeal tumour in a 12-year-old Nigerian boy mimicking adenoids

Background/aim: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is the commonest benign nasopharyngeal tumour, which tends to bleed is found exclusively in male adolescents. This case was seen at the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Nigeria, a relatively new tertiary health institution in North Western Nigeria in May 2005, this is to stress the importance of excision biopsy for tumours rather than incisional biopsy in an environment with limited facilities. Results: This 12-year-old male Nigerian boy presented with nasal obstruction, obstructive sleep apnoea and nasal speech previously treated by the native doctors. The tumour was diagnosed based on clinical, posterior rhinoscopy and plain radiological findings and it was surgically excised via a transpalatal approach and histological evaluation of the excised tumour revealed juvenile angiofibroma. Conclusions: The management is discussed with reference to the literature and the limitation of diagnostic facilities is highlighted in a developing country setting and the need for complete surgical excision rather than incisional biopsy especially in the unwary.