Oncocytic schneiderian papillomas: Clinical behaviour and outcomes of the endoscopic endonasal approach in 33 cases

Background: the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical behaviour 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 two university centres 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 maxillary sinus level. Both of these patients underwent endoscopic surgical revision. Squamous cell carcinoma was observed in one 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.