title: Giant cell tumor of the temporal bone--a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Giant cell tumor is a benign but locally aggressive bone neoplasm which uncommonly involves the skull. The petrous portion of the temporal bone forms a rare location for this tumor.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors report a case of a large giant cell tumor involving the petrous and squamous portions of the temporal bone in a 26 year old male patient. He presented with right side severe hearing loss and facial paresis. Radical excision of the tumor was achieved but facial palsy could not be avoided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radical excision of skull base giant cell tumor may be hazardous but if achieved is the optimal treatment and may be curative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: S Balaji
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.affiliation: Department of Oromaxillofacial surgery, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Lalitha
authors.affiliation: Department of Oromaxillofacial surgery, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Kavitha
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Saraswathi G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harish