[Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the external auditory canal].
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the external auditory canal with petrous involvement.


METHODS
A 50-year-old woman was referred to our department for the management of a necrotizing external otitis. Computed tomography and biopsy revealed an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the external auditory canal.


RESULTS
The patient was treated by complete surgical excision. A radiation therapy completed the treatment. Follow-up time was 19 months without evidence of recurrence. Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the external auditory canal is a rare tumor. It's a special type of carcinoma developing from the ceruminous glands. Histogenesis is difficult and unsettled. The most important survival factor is removal of the tumor with histologically free margins.


CONCLUSIONS
Lack of specific clinical and radiological signs makes the diagnostic challenging. The adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare neoplasm of the external auditory canal. An initial aggressive wide "en bloc" surgical resection is mandatory.
Crestani
S
S
Service d'ORL et de chirurgie cervicofaciale, université Clermont-I, hôpital Gabriel-Montpied, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, BP 69, rue Montalembert, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Vellin
J-F
JF
Nohra
O
O
Gabrillargues
J
J
Kemeny
J-L
JL
Gilain
L
L
Mom
T
T
D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed