A case of ossifying fibromyxoid tumor in the nasal ala

Abstract

An ossifying fibromyxoid tumor (OFMT) is a soft tissue tumor that often occurs in the limbs, trunk, and head and neck of adolescents, but rarely occurs in the nasal and sinus regions. A case of OFMT in the nasal ala is presented.A 54-year-old man visited our department with the complaint of a mass on the right side of his nose. A tumor in the nasal cavity was visible from the external nostril, and the right nasal ala heaved slightly because of the lesion. He did not complain of spontaneous pain or tenderness, and the tumor showed no adhesion to surrounding tissues. Computed tomography showed a high-density area, indicating calcification.An epithelial subcutaneous tumor was suspected based on the physical and imaging findings, and surgical resection was planned for the purpose of treatment and confirmation of the pathological diagnosis. The tumor was resected endoscopically via an incision on the intranasal mucosal junction. The tumor was diagnosed as an OFMT based on the histopathological findings of a tumor covered with a well-defined capsula fibrosa and a wide area of ossification inside, as well as positive immunohistochemical staining for S-100 and vimentin. OFMT usually has a clinical course that is similar to a benign lesion, though it may sometimes relapse or metastasize if it shows malignant characteristics. OFMT may be encountered in the fields of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery, but is rare. OFMT should be considered when a preoperative examination shows a mass suggesting a mixture of calcified areas.