A Case of Olfactory Neuroblastoma

A case of olfactory neuroblastoma is reported. A 71-year-old man visited our hospital exhibiting left nasal obstruction and purulent choanal drip on May 13 1998. Examination showed a large tumor in his left nasal cavity; the surface of it was smooth and bled easily. The patient did not have any visual acuity difficulties and the cervical lymphnodes were not swollen. The patient had undergone surgery for an olfactory neuroblastoma in 1979 in another hospital. CT scan revealed a large tumor in his left nasal cavity and maxillary sinus but which did not extend into the cranial space or eye socket. There was no bone defect. Based on the pathological findings, we made a diagnosis of recurrent olfactory neuroblastoma.The patient was treated using combined therapy; preoperatively, chemotherapy (CBDA+CPA+VP-6) and radiation therapy were performed. Since 19 years previously, 40 Gy radiation therapy was used, we added a further 30 Gy radiation. Subsequently, the tumor was removed completely left lateral rhinotomy approach.The patient is being followed up periodically and to date no recurrence of tumor has been observed. In conclusion, we suggest that long-term follow up is important since it has been previously reported that olfactory neuroblastoma can recur even after a long interval as in this case.