FREQUENCY OF NASOPHARYNGEAL ANGIOFIBROMA IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH RECURRENT EPISTAXIS

Objective: To determine the frequency of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in patients presenting with recurrent epistaxis.

Study design: Cross sectional study.

Duration and setting: This study was carried out from July 2017 to July 2018 at ENT, Head & Neck Surgery department, Khyber teaching hospital, Peshawar.

Material and method: A total number of 93 patients were included in this study. Patients fulfilling the inclusion  criteria were collected from the outdoor patient department (OPD)  of  ENT,  head   and  neck  surgery, Khyber teaching hospital, Peshawar.  Informed consent for participating in the study was taken from all patients. The patients’ biodata   along with hospital registration number were entered on proforma. The patients were assessed initially by history and nasal endoscopic. CT scan nose and PNS with contrast was done and patient admitted and operated for the suspected nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. Biopsy specimen was sent for histopathology to consultant histopathologist in the hospital’s pathology laboratory. Lab reports of the biopsy specimen  showing histopathology of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma  were reviewed and data entered  in  the  proforma.

Results: Out of 93 patients, 32% patients were in age range 10-15 years, 68% patients were in age range 16-20 years. Mean age was 16 years with SD ± 1.26.  Fifty seven percent patients had duration of symptoms <1 year while 43% patients had duration of symptoms > 1 year. The incidence of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma was 18%. Conclusion: Our study concludes that the incidence of nasopharyngeal angiofibroma in our setup is 18% which can be due to the increasing number of Afghan refugees.

Key words: nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, recurrent epistaxis.