Malignant Melanoma of the External Auditory Canal

Primary malignant melanoma rarely occurs in the external auditory canal. In the few reported cases, treatment with lateral temporal bone resection, superficial parotidectomy, and neck dissection were suggested. We describe a 52-year-old man with this disease, managed by sentinel node biopsy with lymphoscintigraphy guidance, lateral temporal bone resection, and postoperative radiotherapy. The patient refused superficial parotidectomy and neck dissection. Although there was no locoregional recurrence on follow-up, pulmonary metastasis was diagnosed in the third year after treatment. The incidence, symptoms, treatment, and prognosis of external auditory canal malignant melanoma are also discussed in this article.