Nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma with skull base involvement: A case-report and review of the literature

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) arising from minor salivary glands is rare, comprising only 10-20 % of all ACC cases. Nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma (NACC) is a rare tumor, accounting for <5 % of head and neck adenoid cystic carcinomas. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report the case of a 68-year-old man, complained from headache with bilateral nasal obstruction and deterioration of the general state, nasal endoscopy and sinonasal imaging revealed a locally advanced NACC infiltrating the skull base. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Treatment for these tumors generally based on radiation, as radical surgical resection is generally difficult and carries significant morbidity. CONCLUSION: NACC is a rare disease that causes significant morbidity when it invades the base of the skull. Complete surgical resection is the main treatment for ACC, and may be combined with radiotherapy.