TREATMENT OF A LOCAL RECURRENCE OF A CARCINOID-TUMOR OF THE MIDDLE-EAR BY EXTENDED SUBTOTAL PETROSECTOMY

A recurrence of a primary carcinoid tumor of the middle ear 15 years a fter radical tympanomastoidectomy is reported. An extended subtotal pe trosectomy using a craniocervical approach with temporary infracondyla r mandibulotomy was performed, since imaging studies demonstrated an e xtensive tumor with a close relationship to the tegmen tympani, facial nerve, and ascending and horizontal portions of the carotid canal. Th e tumor was metabolically inactive. Histopathological examination show ed a solid, trabecular tumor that was positive for pancytokeratin Lu5, neuron-specific enolase, pancreatic intestinal polypeptide and glucag on. Neuroendocrine-granules were demonstrable under electron microscop y. This case is reported to show that primary middle-ear carcinoid tum ors can recur years after radical tympanomastoidectomy.