title: [An unusual lesion of the nasopharynx: oncocytic metaplasia].
abstract: Oncocytic metaplasia of the nasopharynx is an exceptional lesion which exact etiopathogenesis, although largely discussed, still remains controversial. The purpose of this paper is to present the epidemiological characteristics and clinical signs of this lesion and to study its pathogenesis and its therapeutic modalities. We report two cases that occurred respectively in a 53- and 60-year-old woman. The first presented with pharyngeal dysesthesia and otalgia. The endoscopic examination revealed an irregularity of the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. The second patient presented with tinnitus, discomfort of the left ear and bilateral hearing loss. Endoscopic exam revealed a bilateral structural abnormality to the eardrum. Microscopy showed focal oncocytic metaplasia of the nasopharynx mucosa in both cases. There was a positive outcare for both patients after excisional biopsy. Oncocytic metaplasia seems to be in relation to the stimulation of sympathic neuropeptidergic nerve fibers which target epithelial, connective, endothelial and lymphoid cells.
authors: Service d'anatomie pathologique, hôpital Habib-Thameur, Tunis, Tunisie. Fatma.khanchel@gmail.com
authors: Fatma
authors: F
authors: Khanchel-Lakhoua
authors: Emna
authors: E
authors: Nsiri
authors: Naceur
authors: N
authors: Labbène
authors: Wafa
authors: W
authors: Koubâa
authors: Olfa
authors: O
authors: Khayat
authors: Olfa
authors: O
authors: Ben Gamra
authors: Abdelkader
authors: A
authors: El Khedim
authors: Aschraf
authors: A
authors: Chadli-Debbiche
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004433:Earache / Q000209:etiology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006312:Hearing Loss, Bilateral / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008679:Metaplasia; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism; D024862:Oxyphil Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D019310:Pseudolymphoma / Q000209:etiology; D017779:Sympathetic Fibers, Postganglionic / Q000378:metabolism; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides