Purpose or Case Report: Sinonasal tumors in the pediatric population are uncommon. Tumors affecting the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in children can arise from either soft tissue or bony structures and differ substantially from adult sinonasal masses. The aim of our exhibit is to review imaging features of a myriad of sinonasal neoplasms and tumor-like masses unique to the pediatric population ranging from the more well-known rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma to rarer lesions such as desmoplastic fibroma, nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma, and melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy.
Methods & Materials: A multimodality diagnostic imaging approach to sinonasal masses utilizing high-quality representative images with emphasis on CT and MRI will be highlighted. Histopathologically-proven cases from two large teaching children’s hospitals will be presented encompassing an array of imaging modalities.
Results: 1. Highlight imaging features of tumors in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses that present in children either from soft tissue or bony origins. Lesions include but will not be limited to: melanotic neuroectodermal tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, leukemia, lymphoma, pPNET/Ewing’s sarcoma, nasal glioma, giant cell granuloma, nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma, and lobular capillary hemangioma.
2. Distinguish benign and malignant sinonasal lesions in children and demonstrate cases where imaging features may overlap.
3. Review relevant anatomic landmarks and complications of sinonasal tumors such as invasion of adjacent critical structures and neurovascular involvement.
Conclusions: Sinonasal tumors are uncommon in children. They often present with nonspecific symptoms of nasal obstruction, pain, nasal secretions, or epistaxis. Imaging plays a crucial role in narrowing down the differential diagnosis when a child presents with clinical signs and symptoms referable to the sinonasal region. This review aims at familiarizing radiologists with the diagnostic possibilities in the pediatric population and raises awareness of the salient radiologic features.