TUMORS OF THE TEMPORAL BONE - A PRIMARY N ON-HODGKIN-LYMPHOMA OF THE INTERNAL AUDITORY-CANAL AND THE CEREBELLOPONTINE ANGLE

Background: We report about a primary Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) of th e internal auditory canal. The only previously known manifestations of a NHL in the temporal bone have been infiltrations or hemorrhagic com plications due to a late manifestation or advanced systemic disease. I nvolvement of both temporal bones is typical. Clinical case: The 60-ye ar-old female patient complained of an acute one-sided deafness, accom panied by a high-pitched tinnitus, rotating vertigo, and paralysis of the left half of the face. Results: We found a deafness in the left ea r, spontaneous nystaxis, which was interpreted as a deficiency in exit ement of the vestibular organ, and a complete peripheral facial paraly sis. Diagnostic imaging studies revealed a large, intrameatal solid ma ss in the temporal bone, measuring 1.Z x 0.8 cm. Histologic examinatio n after translabyrinthine tumor removal demonstrated a centroblastic N on-Hodgkin Lymphoma. The following extensive interdisciplinary staging examination showed no other tumor manifestations; the CSF analysis wa s negative. Conclusions: The uniqueness of this case ties in the detec tion of a primary nongeneralized centroblastic lymphoma of the interna l auditory canal. In contrast to infiltrations of systemic NHL in the same location, in which the advanced disease is responsible for the ba d prognosis, this isolated lymphoma of the internal auditory canal see ms analogous to extranodal MALT Lymphomas with a better prognosis. The primary extranodal NHL of the temporal bone, not reported in previous studies, is discussed with regard to clinical symptoms, differential diagnoses, and therapeutic strategies.