Introduction:
Neuro endocrine adenoma of the middle ear (NAME) is one of the rare tumors of the middle ear which was mentioned by Treitel in 1898.8,9Diagnosis of this tumor was under controversy over its histologic origin and have led to inappropriate diagnosis such as ceruminoma, ceruminous adenocarcinoma, ectopic salivary gland tumor or adenocarcinoma. Until recently when it was reported by Derlacki and Barney1 in 1976 as neuro-endocrine adenoma of middle ear.6,7
These tumors are very rare, and the diagnosis of middle ear adenoma is often delayed as patients present with vague or no symptoms to variable symptoms. The lesion can occur in different age groups and both sexes are equally affected. Very rare cases of facial nerve involvement have been reported in literature4. In our case, the patient did not have any specific symptoms other than mild discomfort in the left ear. On otoscopy there was whitish mass seen behind the tympanic membrane which was further shown on CT Temporal bone as a small round benign looking mass in hypotympanum.
Our objective with this case report is to show that neuroendocrine masses in the middle ear adenomas can be asymptomatic and diagnosis can be misled to congenital cholesteatoma or glomus jugulare as well these tumors can be excised with minimal damage to normal anatomy of the middle ear cleft.