A characteristic feature
of these channels is a distinct lack of smooth muscle
and elastic fibers found in normal blood vessels, which
contributes to the tumor's hemorrhagic propensity
after even minimal manipulation.7]
From the posterolateral wall of the roof of the nasal
cavity, the tumor may extend by one of several welldefined
routes. The tumor may extend superiorly and
gain access into the intracranial fossae though the
roof of the infratemporal fossa or through the superior
orbital fissure.3] With further progression, the tumor
may be found lateral to the cavernous sinus and
anterolateral to the internal carotid artery adjacent to
Meckel's cave. Spread through the superior orbital
fissure into the cavernous sinus may cause proptosis
and signs of superior orbital fissure syndrome20
Less commonly, the tumor may extend through the
roof of the sphenoid sinus and occupy a position
medial to the internal carotid artery and lateral to the
pituitary gland.78 Direct extension along the horizontal
lamina of the ethmoids and the cribriform plate
into the anterior cranial fossa is rare.78
IIC Or posterior to pterygoidplates
Erosion of skull base;
minimal intracranial
Erosion of skull base;
extensive intracranial
with/without cavernous
sinus
ilIA
IIIB
Occasionally, a combined anterior and lateral
approach is required for tumors with significant
extension to infratemporal fossa, middle cranial fossa,
or cavernous sinus.24 This approach also allows for
early control of the internal maxillary artery, minimizing
operative blood loss.
Tumors
that extend through the sella and insinuate between
the pituitary medially and internal carotid laterally,
however, are especially hazardous and difficult to
manage surgically. These tumors are best managed by
a combination of surgery and radiotherapy or external
beam radiotherapy alone.
Complications of surgery
include life-threatening hemorrhage, optic neurovascular
and cranial nerve injury, and meningitis.16.24.
The most feared complication
of radiation is the risk of secondary malignancy
in the young patient.'8,SS Radiation may also
affect the growth centers of the face, leading to abnormal
development of the craniofacial skeleton, cause
visual complications like cataracts, or result in optic
atrophy and radiation osteoradionecrosis.18