Primary pleomorphic adenoma of the external auditory canal diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) arising in the external auditory canal (EAC) is a very rare neoplasm, thought to be derived from ceruminous glands.


METHODS
A 43-year-old male presented with a slowly growing mass in the right EAC. Clinical and radiologic examinations showed a well-circumscribed tumor limited to the EAC, without a connection to the parotid gland. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) revealed the typical cytologic findings of PA. The diagnosis was confirmed by histologic examination.


CONCLUSIONS
This case illustrates that together with clinical and radiologic findings, primary PA of the EAC can confidently be diagnosed by FNAC.
Gerber
C
C
Department of Pathology, Zurich University Hospital, Switzerland.
Zimmer
G
G
Linder
T
T
Schuknecht
B
B
Betts
D R
DR
Walter
R
R
D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000473:pathology; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*