Chondro-osseous Respiratory Epithelial Adenomatoid Hamartoma: Case Report

Background and Aim: Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartomas (READs) are rare, mostly unilateral, benign overgrowths of minor mucoserous glands of the sinonasal tract. There is also a chondro-osseous variant, chondro-osseous respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma. The aim of this study is to report a case of chondro-osseous respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma of the sinonasal tract and present the pathological features of the lesion. Case Report: A 45-year-old woman presented with a history of chronic nasal congestion, persistent rhinorrhea, hyposmia, and facial pain. Nasal endoscopy revealed a solitary mass of the left nasal cavity mimicking a chronically inflamed nasal polyp. Intraoperatively, the polypoid mass was extending from the cribriform plate medial to the middle turbinate. The lesion was completely excised under general anesthesia and sent for biopsy. A histological examination of paraffin-embedded hematoxylin and eosin stained sections was performed. Grossly, the lesion was polypoid, measuring 2.6 × 3.1 × 0.3 cm. Microscopically, it was composed of prominent glandular proliferations lined with ciliated respiratory epithelium. The glands were surrounded by a dense, pink basement membrane material that separated them from the stroma. Extensive cartilaginous and limited areas of bony components were identified. Ten months after the excision, there is no sign of local recurrence. Conclusions: Although very rare, chondro-osseous respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a unilateral nasal polypoid lesion.