Bilateral carcinoma of the temporal bone: case report and literature review.
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.
Vamvakidis
Theodore
T
Otorhinolaryngology Department of Athens University, Ippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece. theodorevamb@hotmail.com
Sengas
John
J
Xenellis
John
J
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