title: Melanoma of the middle ear: initial presentation, Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging and follow up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We present a rare case of primary mucosal melanoma of the middle ear imaged with 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical, radiological, intra-operative and histological findings are discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An 88-year-old woman presented with intermittent otorrhoea of the left ear for several months. Otoscopy revealed a livid protrusion of the tympanic membrane. Melanoma was not suspected initially, but was established on transmembranous biopsy. Pre-operative 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography revealed a mass lesion in the left tympanic cavity with high fluoro-deoxyglucose uptake, as well as an ipsilateral intraparotid lymph node metastasis. The patient underwent surgical treatment. The diagnosis of melanoma was confirmed histologically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this rare case, clinical, radiological and surgical findings led to the diagnosis of a primary mucosal melanoma of the middle ear.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Switzerland. martin.huellner@ksl.ch
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Huellner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cousin
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Linder
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Soyka
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bussmann
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eberle
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Strobel
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004432:Ear, Middle; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D037981:Neck Dissection; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18