Epitympanic osteoma of the middle ear: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION

Contrary to osteomas and exostosis of the external ear canal, middle ear osteomas are rare benign tumors that are usually revealed by progressive hearing loss.

CASE REPORT: We here report the case of 56-year-old woman who had a left ear conductive hearing loss. A CT-scan showed a bone-density tumor in the left posterior epitympanum, hanging up to the tegmen tympani. A surgical middle ear exploration showed an epitympanic osteoma, confirmed by a histological exploration. The tumor was left in place and an ossicular prosthesis was inserted, which permitted a significant gain in the audiogram air-bone gap.

DISCUSSION: Middle ear osteomas are rare benign tumors (31 cases described from 1964), with male preponderance (sex ratio: 1.75). They always present with a hearing loss, and the diagnosis is made by CT-scan. The treatment is surgical in cases of significant discomfort and generally produces a good improvement in symptoms.