Nasal Mass Presenting as Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Abstract

Background and Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical symptoms, physical examinations, imaging studies, polysomnographic evaluations, and pathologic findings of patients with a nasal mass presenting as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Methods The study population consisted of adult OSAS patients who had a nasal mass and were successfully treated by nasal surgery alone. In this study, we analyzed clinical symptoms, physical examinations, imaging studies, pre and postoperative polysomnographic parameters, and pathologic results of these patients. Results A series of four patients with OSAS due to a nasal mass were analyzed. The analysis revealed the following: 1) A nasal mass involving the nasopharyngeal space may cause mild to severe OSAS. 2) Isolated nasal surgery may be efficient for the improvement of respiratory disturbances in an OSAS patient with a large nasal mass. 3) We speculated that favorable indications for isolated nasal surgery for the treatment of OSAS are as follows: (1) a huge nasal mass occupying the nasopharynx, (2) small tonsils, (3) low-leveled tongue, (4) relatively young age, and (5) the absence of morbid obesity. Conclusions Nasal masses should be considered surgically correctable anatomical abnormalities and potential causes of obstruction when assessing patients with suspected OSAS.

Keywords

• Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
• Nasal obstruction
• Nasal surgery
• Physical examination
• Polysomnography