Ectopic muscle in the middle ear.
An ectopic muscle was found in the hypotympanum of a 31-year-old Japanese male. The muscle produced symptoms quite similar to those seen in cases of glomus jugulare tumor: a red mass visible through the ear drum, conductive deafness, a compressed jugular bulb demonstrable by retrograde jugulography, and VIIth and IXth nerve paresis. However, the audible pulsating tinnitus of glomus jugulare tumor was absent. The mass proved to be a muscle speculated as being a part of the levator veli palatini muscle. In view of our findings, ectopic muscle should be included in the differential diagnosis of glomus jugulare tumor.
D000328:Adult; D001299:Audiometry; D002828:Choristoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005925:Glomus Jugulare Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000002:abnormalities*