Publication:

Temporal bone malignancy: an overview

Background Carcinoma of the temporal bone is rare, accounting for fewer than 0.2% of all the tumours of the head and neck. Despite the recent advances made in oncology, delayed diagnosis is common with temporal bone tumors which lead to significant morbidity and poor surgical outcomes. All cases of persistent otitis media or otitis externa which fails to improve with adequate treatment, temporal bone malignancy should be suspected. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of temporal bone malignancy in patients with CSOM or external auditory mass.

Methods It is a prospective study conducted in department of ENT and Head and Neck surgery, Karnataka institute of medical sciences, Hubballi from July 2015- December 2016. All patients with CSOM presenting with otorrhoea and mass in the external auditory canal in our outpatient department were included in the study.

Results Out of 6496 patients included in our study, 3 patients were found to have temporal bone malignancy. Histopathological examination showed squamous cell carcinoma in all 3 patients. All three patients underwent lateral temporal bone resection with post-operative radiotherapy.

Conclusions High level of suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis of temporal bone malignancy especially in patients with CSOM unresponsive to conventional treatment.