Olfactory neuroblastoma--case report.

The olfactory neuroblastoma oresthesioneuroblastoma, is a tumor pathologically related to but clinically distinct from the childhood neuroblastomas originating from the adrenal medulla and sympathetic chain This tumor pnmarily affects patients between the second and fourth decades of life and most frequently originates in nasal cavity from the olfactory neuroepithelium. Rare cases have been described to be arising in the nasophaiynx, maxillary sinus and ethmoid sinus The clinical course is characterized by local aggressiveness and less commonly distant metastasis. The tumor is relatively more radio-responsive than childhood neuroblastoma. Identification of olfactory neuroblastoma from undifferentiated carcinoma and other intranasal malignancies is done by using the histological criteria and demonstration of specific markers such as neurofilament and neuron-specific enclose (NSE) by immunohistochemical methods. Electron microscopy may be used but has been infrequently employed.