REVIEW of the literature reveals that a middle ear cyst possibly arising from remnants of the first pharyngeal pouch is a unique entity. A case is presented which was diagnosed preoperatively as a middle ear tumor, associated with a recent ipsilateral facial nerve paralysis.
Report of a Case
A 39-year-old white woman was admitted to the Chicago Wesley Memorial Hospital, nine days after awakening with a clinically complete, left facial paralysis. The family physician had diagnosed a Bell's palsy and administered a "penicillin injection." Three days later the patient returned to the physician complaining of a "needles and pins" pain in the left ear, and was referred to an otologist.The admission history indicated that the patient recalled about ten episodes of brief, foulsmelling yellowish drainage from the involved ear during the past 20 years. A mild earache usually occurred at the onset. She was not aware of any