Salivary Gland Choristoma of the Middle Ear; a Case Report

Abstract

A salivary gland choristoma was formed in the middle ear of a patient with old temporal bone fracture. A 41-year-old female complained of loss of hearing in the right ear and a floating feeling of one month's duration. The right external auditory canal and ear drum appeared normal, but conductive hearing loss was noted. CT scan showed fracture lines in the temporal bone and low density shadows in the middle ear and mastoid. We thought that the hearing loss was due to a conductive disorder caused by the fracture, anomaly of the ossicles or otosclerosis, so we operated on the middle ear through a right post-auricular incision. A fracture line was seen extending to the middle ear, which was filled with clear secretion and two round masses close to the ear drum. Parts of the ossicles had dissapeared, so we reconstructed the conduction system of the middle ear, using the incus in a collumellization operation. Pathological examination of the masses showed a salivary gland choristoma in the middle ear. Our experience shows that it is important for clinicians to keep in mind that salivary gland choristoma can causes conductive hearing loss and facial palsy. We must be careful to avoid facial nerve injury when treating choristoma or other masses in the middle ear. © 1995, The Society of Practical Otolaryngology. All rights reserved.