Oncocytic Schneiderian papillomas: Clinical behavior and outcomes of the endoscopic endonasal approach in 33 cases

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical behavior of oncocytic Schneiderian papillomas in relation to the rate of malignant transformation and recurrences and to report the long-term results of the endoscopic endonasal treatment.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on patients with oncocytic papilloma, endoscopically managed over the past 20 years, at 2 university centers following a uniform policy.
RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were treated between November 1991 and December 2010. The mean follow-up period was 62 months. We observed 2 cases of persistence (6%) at the maxillary sinus level. Both of these patients underwent endoscopic surgical revision. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was observed in 1 patient (3%).
CONCLUSION: The endonasal endoscopic technique proved to be a safe and effective approach for the treatment of oncocytic papillomas. An oncocytic papilloma is not to be considered a negative prognostic factor in terms of malignant transformation or recurrence.