CT diagnosis of the benign and malignant tumors of nasal cavity

Objective To assess the CT manifestations of the tumors in nasal cavity and understand the key point of the diagnosis and differential diagnosis between benign and malignant tumor of nasal cavity.Methods CT findings of the nasal cavity tumor confirmed by pathology in 43 cases were reviewed retrospectively,including inverted papilloma (12 cases,2 cases had malignant transformation),non-Hodgkin lymphoma (12 cases) and cancer (19 cases).Results Twelve cases of the inverted papilloma were unilateral lesions,all located in the lateral nasal wall.Of the 10 benign inverted papillomas,the tumors of 9 cases (90%) located in middle-posterior portion of the nasal cavity,10 cases (100%) had clear rim,8 masses (80%) were homogeneous.Of 12 cases of NHL,10(83.3%) were unilateral lesions,9 (75%) located in the anterior portion of the nasal cavity,9 (75%) involved the skin of the external noses with disappearance of the subcutaneous fat in 6 cases (50%),the adjacent bone was absorbed in 3.Of the 19 cancers of nasal cavity,13 cases (68.4%) were unilateral lesions,the tumors were irregular in shape with adjacent structures invasion in 18 (94.7%),the adjacent bone destruction in 18 (94.7%).Conclusion There are different CT characteristics among the inverted papilloma,lymphoma and cancer in the nasal cavity, CT scan is helpful to diagnose and differential diagnose in the tumors of nasal cavity.