title: Benign cylindroma: a rare differential diagnosis of external ear canal tumour.
abstract: Cylindromas are rare adnexal skin tumours that usually occur in the head and neck area. This article reports a case of benign cylindroma arising in the external auditory canal. A 75-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of right aural fullness; no other symptoms were reported. Ear microscopy examination revealed a skin mass on the floor of the external ear canal. Α CT scan of the skull showed a well-circumscribed soft tissue mass, with no signs of underlying cortical bone erosion. Tumour resection through an endaural approach was performed. Histological examination revealed a benign cylindroma with margins free of tumour, so that no further treatment was necessary. 8 months after surgery the patient is asymptomatic with normal findings in the ear microscopy examination. Benign cylindroma has a high recurrence rate and can undergo malignant transformation. Therefore, complete surgical removal and close follow-up are of great importance.
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Department of Pathology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Uta
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Drebber
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Department of Pathology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ortmann
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anagiotos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000473:pathology*; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male