Chondromyxoid fibroma of the nasal septum: Case report and review of literature

Background. Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) is a rare bone tumor, accounting for less than 0.5% of all bone tumors, with a predilection for lower extremity bone metaphyses. Involvement of the head and neck is extremely rare, with only 3 cases reported in the nasal septum in world literature. Methods. This is a case report of a CMF in the nasal septum of a 49-year-old woman with a 6-month history of congestion. MRI showed a bilobed mass originating from the nasal septum. Histologic and immunoperoxidase staining as well as electron microscopic studies were performed. A literature review was performed. Results. The patient underwent a midface-degloving approach for surgical resection. The final pathology was prototypic of CMF. The patient was disease-free 16 months postoperatively. Conclusions. CMF is a rare, benign neoplasm occasionally occurring in the head and neck. Surgical resection is often curative. CMF must be differentiated from chondrosarcoma, given the substantial differences in treatment. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013