Capillary-cavernous hemangioma of the nasal septum

Introduction. Hemangioma are rare benign vascular tumors. Histologically, there are several types including capillary, cavernous and mixed hemangioma. We present a very rare mixed hemangioma of the nasal septum. Case report. A 30-year-old woman consulted for unilateral epistaxis and nasal obstruction. CT scan revealed a tumor filling the rhinopharynx, strongly enhanced after injection of contrast medium. It was pedicled on the posterior and superior nasal septum. Arteriography revealed a vascular blush. Tumor exeresis was performed by paralateronasal approach and endoscopic surgery. The histological examination identified a mixed hemangioma. Discussion. Capillary and cavernous hemangiomas are rare and benign vascular tumors developing in the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the head and neck, and/or oral and nasal mucosa. No mixed hemangioma exclusively involving the nasal septum had been previously reported. Complete surgical resection is the treatment of choice, providing a favorable prognosis with low risk of recurrence. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.