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.