title: [Arthrogenic ear canal tumor].
abstract: We report our findings in two female patients (aged 56 and 64 years) who complained about slight hearing loss that varied during jaw movements. In both cases a polypoid tumor of the external auditory meatus was found that almost completely disappeared with mouth opening. CT showed a bony defect of the anterior wall of the external auditory canal in both patients. Biopsies from the tumor-like lesions were done, revealing a chronic inflammatory hyperplasia of the connective tissue in one case and a rheumatic granuloma in the other. Review of medical histories showed that the first patient suffered from a recurrent neurodermatitis and the second had experienced a chronic polyarthritis for many years. From these findings and on the basis of a literature review, we conclude that these pseudotumors represent a chronic inflammatory hyperplasia of the periarticular tissue which herniated through a persistent "foramen of Huschke." This foramen is formed during embryological development of the two tympanic tubercles, but normally closes before the age of 5 years. However, in a few rare cases is may persist to allow herniation of synovial tissue.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Plastische Operationen, Phoniatrie und Pädaudiologie, Lukaskrankenhaus, Städtische Kliniken Neuss.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schunk
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Schultz-Coulon
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Köster
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shadou
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000473:pathology*; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012218:Rheumatoid Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
vernacular_title: Arthrogener Gehörgangstumor.