Does nasal hemangioma require surgery?

Whether a nasal hemangioma requires surgery depends on the size, location, symptoms, and potential complications of the hemangioma. If the hemangioma is small and asymptomatic, observation may be an option; if the hemangioma causes recurrent bleeding, nasal congestion, or grows rapidly, surgery is usually required. The specific situation needs to be determined based on individual patient assessment.

1. What is nasal hemangioma?

Nasal hemangioma is a common benign tumor of the nose that originates from the vascular tissue in the nasal cavity. Hemangioma may manifest as local redness, swelling, bleeding, nasal congestion or a foreign body sensation in the nasal cavity. The severity of symptoms varies depending on the size and location of the tumor. In a few cases that worsen, hemangioma may have a serious impact on breathing and olfactory functions, so special attention is needed.

2. In what situations does surgery require?

Surgery is usually indicated in the following situations:

Repeated severe bleeding: Nasal hemangiomas have a rich blood supply and can easily cause persistent or severe bleeding in the nasal cavity, especially when stimulated by external forces. In severe cases, it may lead to anemia.

Obvious symptoms affect life: such as nasal congestion, difficulty breathing or obvious impact on appearance. Some tumors may even invade adjacent tissues.

Rapid growth or suspected malignancy: Although most nasal hemangiomas are benign, rapidly enlarging tumors may be at risk for malignant transformation, and surgical intervention may be necessary.

3. Surgical treatment

Traditional surgical resection: The tumor is removed through open surgery. It is suitable for cases where the tumor is large or in a complex location and requires general anesthesia.

Endoscopic sinus surgery: The tumor is removed using an endoscopic device, which causes less trauma and quicker recovery. It is suitable for patients with small tumors located in the superficial part of the nasal cavity.

Interventional treatment: Preoperative embolization is used to cut off the blood supply to the tumor, reduce intraoperative bleeding, and create conditions for surgery.

4. Other treatment methods

For small hemangiomas without obvious clinical symptoms, doctors may recommend observation and regular follow-up. If the hemangioma is close to the surface and small in size, non-surgical treatments such as laser and freezing can also be tried, but the efficacy varies from person to person.

The treatment of nasal hemangiomas should be tailored to the individual's circumstances. In the case of severe symptoms or significant enlargement of the hemangioma, it is particularly important to select a professional medical institution for evaluation and treatment as soon as possible to prevent possible complications and improve quality of life.