Merkel cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal invading the intracranial compartment.
OBJECTIVE
To report an unusual case of an intracranial extension of Merkel cell carcinoma originating in the external ear canal and causing neurological deficits.


METHODS
An 86-year-old woman, with a 16-month history of an external auditory canal mass, presented with hemiparesis, facial paralysis, and obtundation. Radiographic images showed an intracranial mass extending into the petrous bone.


METHODS
The patient had a craniotomy for intracranial tumor resection with concurrent mastoidectomy for facial nerve decompression and obtundation and hemiparesis were resolved. Residual tumor was subsequently treated with adjuvant radiation therapy, and facial nerve function consequently improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Merkel cell tumors rarely invade the intracranial compartments. Residual tumor and neurological deficits may respond to adjuvant radiation therapy.
Litofsky
N S
NS
Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA.
Smith
T W
TW
Megerian
C A
CA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010579:Petrous Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed