The Nose that Broke the Hip! Tumor Induced Osteomalacia Secondary to Phosphaturic Mesenchymal Nasal Tumor : A Case Report

Tumor induced osteomalacia is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused by usually small mesenchymal tumors. The tumors are commonly located in the extremities whereas occurrence in the nasal cavity is quite rare. An 18 year old male presented with asymmetric weakness of both lower limbs and difficulty in walking since one year. On evaluation he was found to have open femur head physes and iliac apophyses, low serum Phosphorus, low vitamin D, normal serum calcium, elevated PTH & alkaline phosphatase levels. FGF-23 levels in serum were elevated. DOTA NOC PET CT revealed tumor in the left nasal cavity abutting the nasal septum. Surgical excision of the tumor resulted in normalisation of the serum levels of phosphorus, vitamin D and FGF-23. This case report indicates the importance of maintaining high clinical suspicion and early detection of causative tumor using appropriate imaging techniques.