This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables.
PATHOLOGIC QUIZ CASE 1
James R. Tabor, MD, Denver, ColoA 72-year-old man first noticed symptoms of progressive hearing loss with a pulsating type of tinnitus in the left ear 2½ years prior to consultation. At no time did he experience otorrhea or pain.When he was first examined a mass could be seen medial to the tympanic membrane causing a bulging of the drum posteriorly. This mass was bright red and pulsating. The audiogram showed a mixed loss of 30 db (ASA) average for speech frequencies. Radiographic studies of the mastoid were normal.The ear was explored under general anesthesia, and a pulsating tumor mass extended from the posterior one half of the tympanum into the antrum and mastoid cavity medial to the incus. The long process of the incus had been eroded by the tumor but no other bony destruction was evident. With an endaural incision the tumor