CT analysis of primary malignant tumors in nasal cavity and paranasal sinus

Objective: To analyze CT findings of primary malignant tumors originated from nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Authors stressly investigated several special and unusual types of malignant tumors so as to improve the recognition of them. Methods: 41 cases were definitively diagnosed by surgery or pathologic biopsy. Axial CT was performed conventionally, 4 cases had coronary CT scanning, enhanced CT scanning was done in 6 cases. Results: Of 41 cases, 19 cases were orginated from maxillary sinuses,they appeared as an expansive growth and destroyed the walls of the maxillary sinuses, invaded neighbor fat tissue or had soft tissue masses outside the sinuses; malignant tumors of nasal cavity were 15 cases, all of the cases showed the features of tumor mass occupied the nasal cavity; 6 cases invaded ipsilateral ethmoid sinus; 3 cases invaded orbits; 4 cases destroyed surrounding bones and extended widely; 5 cases originated from ethmoid sinus and the ethmoidal bone were destroyed and ipsilateral nasal cavity and orbits were invaded; 2 cases were too big to recognize their origination. Conclusions: CT may manifest bony destruction,neighbor fat tissue invasion, and soft tissue mass outside sinus. It can be considered as a reliable and safe method in diagnosis of sinonasal primary malignant tumors.