HAMARTOMA OF THE NASAL CAVITY: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.

The authors report the first case of nasal hamartoma observed in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo). The patient was a 12-year-old girl admitted with a tumor on the right side of the nasal pyramid that extended to the infraorbital region. The mass had recurred 3 years after initial removal and the patient was referred to our hospital. She presented with chronic rhinitis and nasal obstruction for several months. The maxillofacial CT scan suggested a benign process with no calcification lesions or signs of osteolysis. The tumor was completely removed via the paralateronasal approach and the post-operative course was straightforward. The histopathological diagnosis was that of a hamartoma. This is a rare, benign tumor consisting of a proliferation of one or more specific components of a given tissue. The majority of hamartomas are found in the lungs, kidneys and intestine, while their presence is exceptional in the ENT sphere, and especially in the nasal cavity. A correct differential diagnosis with other ENT tumours is essential because of the different therapeutic approaches.