Primary meningioma of the middle ear: case report.
OBJECTIVE
To report a rare case of primary meningioma of the middle ear.


METHODS
We describe the case of a 55-year-old woman who presented with decreased hearing and fullness in the left ear, with a middle-ear mass. We also review the world literature regarding primary extracranial meningioma of the middle ear and its management.


RESULTS
Primary middle-ear meningioma, a rare clinical entity, was diagnosed in this patient based on an initial transmastoid biopsy. Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium enhancement excluded the presence of an intracranial component. Complete excision of the tumour was achieved using a combined approach tympanoplasty. The patient had an uneventful post-operative course.


CONCLUSIONS
Meningiomas, although rare in the middle ear, need to be included in the differential diagnosis of middle-ear lesions presenting to the otolaryngologist. This case emphasises the management strategy required when dealing with a middle-ear mass.
George
M
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Vaud, Switzerland. roymercy@hotmail.com
Ikonomidis
C
C
Pusztaszeri
M
M
Monnier
P
P
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D004432:Ear, Middle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008579:Meningioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed