Middle ear adenoma with uncommon presentation and literature review

Abstract

Middle ear adenoma (MEA) is a rare benign tumour. Here we report a case of MEA in a 39-year-old man with hearing loss. Some significant histopathological features of MEA and neuroendocrine differentiation identified by immunohistochemistry are described. The tumour showed remarkable and rare degenerative histological characteristics. There were a few tumour cells which were covered by degenerated tissue. Consequently, following frozen biopsy, the tumour was misdiagnosed as chronic ear inflammation. No recurrence was seen in this patient after 45 months of follow-up; regular clinical and radiological follow-up is necessary since recurrence is possible. A literature review for MEA is presented and this type of tumour is discussed clinically, microscopically and immunohistochemically. The differential diagnosis and associated treatment are described.

Temporal Bone Adenoma: A Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Aspects and Surgical Outcome on a Very Rare Entity

“…However, entrapment and destruction of the ossicles is possible. 6 7 In our cases, extension through the oval/round windows into the inner ear was identified intraoperatively in two out of four cases. This can be difficult to identify on the preoperative imaging.…”

“…However, a neoplastic change due to an inflammatory stimulus of the mucosal epithelium of the middle ear has become more of an acceptable explanation for these tumors. 6 Initially they were thought to be a different entity from carcinoid tumors and neuroendocrine tumors of the middle ear. However, the current perspective in the literature suggests that they represent the same disease in different stages.…”

“…2 In general, MEA are rare tumors with few cases reported in the literature. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] They can present with vague symptoms, which usually lead to delayed diagnosis, even years following the initiation of their symptoms. Although their management is believed to be surgical, the outcomes of such intervention are poorly documented because of the rarity of MEA.…”

Middle Ear Neuroendocrine Adenoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…ese tumors make up less than 2% of primary tumors of the ear [2]. e classification, histogenesis, and biologic behavior of this tumor have been reported in the literature in various ways; the tumor has been inappropriately described as a ceruminoma, a ceruminous adenoma, an adenomatous tumor, an adenocarcinoid, and an amphicrine tumor [1][2][3][4][5][6][7].…”

“…Neuroendocrine adenomas show a low aggressive biological behavior with slow local growth, but they can recur and cause local and distant metastases, suggesting they should be classified as having low-grade malignancy [2]. Reaching a definite clinical diagnosis is challenging, and an immunohistochemical investigation is often required [3]. is rare tumor does not show a predilection for sex or age of onset [4].…”