A 6-year-old girl presents with a smooth, unilateral mass in the left nasal cavity resembling a nasal polyp. Before biopsy is performed, which condition MUST be excluded because biopsy may be catastrophic?
- A Basal encephalocele (meningoencephalocele) presenting as a nasal mass ✓
- B Nasal glioma
- C Antrochoanal polyp
- D Rhabdomyosarcoma of the nose
Correct answer: A. Basal encephalocele (meningoencephalocele) presenting as a nasal mass
Explanation
Any unilateral 'polyp' in a child may represent a basal encephalocele, herniation of meninges and brain tissue through a congenital skull base defect into the nasal cavity. Biopsy of such a mass produces cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, and possible death. MRI distinguishes neural tissue and demonstrates the skull base defect before any intervention. Nasal glioma is avascular glial tissue without intracranial connection, rhabdomyosarcoma is malignant but safely biopsied, and antrochoanal polyp is benign.
Reference: Dhingra's Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.