Carcinoid Tumors in the Middle Ear: a Case Report and Literature Review

Middle ear carcinoid tumor (MECT) is rare. Only 46 cases of MECT have been reported in the literature since the first case of MECT was described in 1980. We present here a case of primary MECT initially diagnosed as inflammatory aural polyp. The case was a 43-year-old women complaining of right ear chronic otorrhea and hearing loss over a period of five years, with a blockage sensation in the right ear for two years. Audiometry showed conductive hearing loss in the right ear. Physical examination and CT scans showed a mass in the right external auditory canal and middle ear, surrounding the ossicular chain. Pathologic study of surgically removed specimen revealed features of carcinoid tumor with positive staining to chromogranin A and synaptophysin in tumor cells. Local radiation of 60 Gy was applied. The patient has been followed up for more than one year. Postoperative histopathological examination showed no evidence of MECT recurrence one year after surgery, but inflammatory changes in the middle ear. Relevant literatures were reviewed. Clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of MECT, and strategies in MECT diagnosis and management are discussed.