title: Bilateral carcinoma of the temporal bone: case report and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone is a rare entity. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature and even fewer describe bilateral tumours. Because its clinical presentation resembles chronic otitis media or otitis externa, diagnosis could be delayed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case is presented of bilateral squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone in a 66 year old woman. The patient underwent a left subtotal petrosectomy followed by a right subtotal petrosectomy a month later.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early diagnosis is directly related to patient prognosis. However, prognosis remains poor and the surgical treatment is a challenge for the experienced skull base surgeon.
authors.affiliation: Otorhinolaryngology Department of Athens University, Ippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece. theodorevamb@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vamvakidis
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sengas
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xenellis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008416:Mastoid / Q000473:pathology; D010032:Otitis Externa / Q000175:diagnosis; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery