Intractable anemia: a case of bleeding nasal cavernous hemangioma

Abstract

Cavernous haemangioma of the nose is rare, but when it occurs it usually presents with severe epistaxis. This nasal pathology is mostly seen in adult patient patients. Standard approach to dealing with such haemangiomas is surgical resection. A 30-year-old woman presented to General Physician with history of haemoptysis, haematemesis and weakness. She was admitted for investigation of her severe anaemia. On examination there was no obvious source of bleeding in the mouth or oropharynx, and Upper GI endoscopy did not reveal any pathology. She was referred to us after a trivial episode of epistaxis. Anterior and posterior rhinoscopy did not reveal any abnormality. Her extreme anxiety made indirect laryngoscopy and post-nasal space examination difficult but no obvious abnormality was seen. Diagnostic nasal endoscopy was done, and a small haemangiomatous mass was found in the postero superior part of inferior turbinate. Excision of the mass was done under local anaesthesia and sent for histopathological evaluation. The mass on histopathology came out to be Cavernous haemangioma.

Keywords: Cavernous haemangioma; Endoscopic excision; Severe anaemia.

Fig. 1

Histopathological examination showing dilated vessels Cavernous haemangioma