MERKEL CELL-CARCINOMA OF THE EXTERNAL AUDITORY-CANAL INVADING THE INTRACRANIAL COMPARTMENT

Purpose: To report an unusual case of an intracranial extension of Mer kel cell carcinoma originating in the external ear canal and causing n eurological deficits. Case Report: An 86-year-old woman, with a 16-mon th history of an external auditory canal mass, presented with hemipare sis, facial paralysis, and obtundation. Radiographic images showed an intracranial mass extending into the petrous bone. Method: The patient had a craniotomy for intracranial tumor resection with concurrent mas toidectomy for facial nerve decompression and obtundation and hemipare sis were resolved. Residual tumor was subsequently treated with adjuva nt radiation therapy, and facial nerve function consequently improved. Conclusion: Merkel cell tumors rarely invade the intracranial compart ments. Residual tumor and neurological deficits may respond to adjuvan t radiation therapy. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.