A total of 15 patients with
esthesioneuroblastomas were treated between 1978 and 1992 at the Neurosurgery Department, Nordstadt Hospital, Hannover. In 9 cases, the
tumors invaded the anterior cranial fossa. One patient died before any surgical intervention. Eight
tumors were operated by a combined paranasal and subfrontal approach. Gross total
tumor removal was achieved in all cases. Apart from
anosmia, the only postoperative complication was transient mental changes in one case. Immunohistochemical analyses with MIB 1
monoclonal antibodies, directed against recombinant parts of
Ki-67 antigen, were performed to estimate the proliferative potential of the
esthesioneuroblastomas. Most of the
tumors showed high proliferating cell indexes, which ranged from 3 to 42% (mean, 16%). The proliferating cell index with MIB 1 showed a correlation with postoperative outcome, although this was not statistically significant.
Esthesioneuroblastomas can be totally removed surgically. The proliferating cell index may reflect histologically the
biological behavior of
tumor. Long-term follow-up is mandatory, and immunohistochemical studies may be of help in predicting outcome.