Investigation into the Use of Volatile Organic Compounds to Identify Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma

Introduction: Sinonasal inverted papilloma, although a benign neoplasm, has a high rate of recurrence and a risk of malignant transformation. It is critical to follow these patients closely, with both routine nasal endoscopy and/or serial imaging, to identify and diagnose areas of possible recurrence early with tissue biopsy. Previous research has shown that tissue types in various states of atypia, dysplasia, metaplasia, and malignancy produce unique volatile organic compound signatures that differ from their “normal” health state. We investigate the use of volatile organic compounds to identify sinonasal inverted papilloma.

Methods: The volatile organic compound signatures of tissue specimen, secretions, and plasma from 11 patients with sinonasal inverted papilloma were mapped. We compared these signatures to age and gender matched controls by examining chromatographic peak responses for 28 previously defined compounds known to be common in human plasma. The peaks were plotted in a radar chart to visualize the differences in volatiles.

Results: There were increased concentrations of volatiles related to benzaldehyde, butyric acid, butyrolactone, 2-methyl butyric acid, dimethylfulfone, and phenol in sinonasal inverted papilloma samples compared with control samples. These results suggest that volatile organic compounds may serve as markers for sinonasal inverted papilloma.

Conclusion: Mapping the volatile organic compound signature from sinonasal secretions and plasma of patients with sinonasal inverted papilloma may offer an easier, less invasive, and lower risk alternative to tissue biopsy for monitoring recurrence of sinonasal inverted papilloma.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
12 February 2021