Giant saddle area lymphoid epithelial carcinoma: a case report and literature review

Abstract Objective This paper reports the case of a giant saddle area lymphoid epithelial carcinoma as reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: The clinical data of one patient who suffered from giant saddle area lymphoid epithelial carcinoma, that invaded the bilateral cavernous sinus and surrounding internal carotid artery, slope, nasopharynx, oropharynx, sphenoid sinus, and ethmoid sinus was retrospectively analyzed. The treatment process and relevant literature were summarized. Results: The 68-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital, due to headache and dizziness for half a year, and aggravation of visual deterioration for two months. MRI showed a large mass in the saddle area, about 8.11 cm × 8.12 cm × 6.2 cm in size. Successful removal of the saddle mass was achieved under transnasal endoscopic, and postoperative pathology indicated lymphoid epithelioid carcinoma. The visual acuity improved and the patient recovered well after operation. Conclusions: Giant saddle area lymphoid epithelioid carcinoma is rare. Surgical removal should have been selected as initial treatment and postoperative radiotherapy is indispensable for the lymphoid epithelioid carcinoma of skull base and sinus.