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Juvenile Angiofibromas

by Udayan K. Shah, MD

Juvenile angiofibromas are rare and benign and can develop in the nasopharynx.

Juvenile angiofibromas are most common among adolescent boys. They are vascular and grow slowly. They can spread into the orbits or cranial vault or recur after treatment.

Symptoms and Signs

Common symptoms include nasal obstruction and epistaxis (sometimes severe, usually unilateral). The tumor may cause facial swelling, eye bulging, or nasal disfigurement or mass.


  • CT

Diagnosis usually requires CT and MRI. Angiography is often done so that the tumor vessels can be embolized before surgery. Because incising the tumor may cause severe bleeding, incisional biopsy is avoided.


  • Excision and sometimes radiation therapy

Treatment is excision. Radiation therapy is sometimes used adjunctively, particularly if complete excision is difficult or impossible or if the tumor recurs.

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