title: Neuro-endocrine adenoma of the middle ear: a case study.
abstract: Neuroendocrine adenomas are rare tumors, which can appear in the middle ear. Approximately a hundred cases have been reported in the literature. We report the case of a 58-year-old man who consulted for an abnormal sensation of fullness in the right ear. The otoscopic examination showed a retrotympanic tumefaction. The CT scan and MRI of the middle ear demonstrated a well-defined tissue mass without any osteolysis. We performed surgical exeresis by transcanal procedure with a cartilage graft tympanoplasty. Microscopic examination and immunohistochemistry revealed an endocrine adenoma of the middle ear. Neuroendocrine adenomas can develop in a number of different sites. When they appear in the middle ear they usually produce hypoacousia. The otoscopic examination shows non-specific findings with only retrotympanic swelling. Surgical exeresis enables histologic and immunohistochemically analysis of the surgical specimen. The adenoma is composed of two cellular types: neuroendocrine (which closely resemble carcinoid tumors) and glandular. Regular clinical and radiologic follow-up is necessary since recurrence is possible. The formal diagnosis of neuroendocrine adenomas of the middle ear requires histologic and immunohistochemically confirmations since the clinical symptoms are non-specific. Surgical excision with removal of the ossicular chain is the treatment of choice in order to prevent recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, CHRU Bretonneau, 2 Boulevard Tonnellé, 37044, Tours, France. bakhos_d@med.univ-tours.fr
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bakhos
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lescanne
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fetissof
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robier
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morinière
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004432:Ear, Middle; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged