A Case of Middle Ear Cavity Meningioma with No Apparent Intra-cranial Source

Abstract

A 50-year-old woman complained of no symptoms except for fullness of the left ear. Her physical examination revealed a white mass visible through the left intact tympanic membrane, although her pure tone audiogram was within normal limits. CT and MRI showed a solitary mass in the left middle ear. In order to confirming the diagnosis, we performed a trans-mastoid tumor biopsy, and the tumor was microscopically diagnosed as meningioma.
Later, the tumor was successfully removed by combined approach technique, and the canal wall up tympanoplasty type III-i (interposition) was performed. The patient was undergoing regular follow-ups, and for 18 months after her surgery, she was free of any recurrent meningioma and retained good hearing.
There will be arguments both for and against operations in similar cases. Surgery, follow-ups (Wait-and-scan), and radiation can be recommended. To make a decision, further verification and the informed consent are important.