title: Primary tumors and tumor-like lesions of the eustachian tube: a systematic review of an emerging entity.
abstract: Eustachian tube (ET) primary tumors and tumor-like lesions are rare diseases presenting with common ear, nose and throat symptoms. Pathology can range from developmental anomalies to high malignant neoplasms. Hence this review aimed at suggesting a classification and outline relevant aspects of ET primary tumors and tumor-like lesions, describing clinical findings, diagnostic management and therapeutic approaches. MEDLINE, CINAHL, OVIDSP, HIGHWIRE, and GOOGLE databases were searched from inception to July 2011 for relevant studies. Further papers were identified by examining the reference lists of all included. Sixty-five papers met the inclusion criteria, enclosing 78 cases. Case reports are increasing in the past few years. Benign lesions and tumor-like lesions of ET have been reported. Moreover, melanomas, carcinomas, and sarcomas can affect the ET as a primary site.
authors.affiliation: Department of Specialist Surgery, ENT Unit, Udine University Hospital, Ple S Maria della Misericordia 15, 33100 Udine, Italy. enr.muz@gmail.com
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muzzi
authors.forename: Elona
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cama
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boscolo-Rizzo
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Trabalzini
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arslan
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D003939:Diagnostic Techniques, Otological; D019468:Disease Management; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000209:etiology; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D035583:Rare Diseases; D016896:Treatment Outcome