Nasopharyngeal venous malformation: A rare condition managed with Nd:YAG laser.

Abstract

Venous malformations are benign but symptomatic vascular lesions of the head and neck that undergo soft tissue infiltration and relentless growth. Here we present a 31-year-old female referred for an obstructing and painful right posterior nasal mass. Flexible nasopharyngoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a 3 cm × 4 cm enhancing mucosal and submucosal venous malformation of the nasopharynx and oropharynx. Three staged episodes of transnasal endoscopically guided Nd:YAG laser therapy were performed with dramatic and sustained reduction in size and symptoms. No bleeding or complications occurred. Nd:YAG laser treatment of nasopharyngeal venous malformations is a safe and effective alternative to open surgical excision and sclerotherapy.