Per-Operative Discovery of Tympanic Paraganglioma: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Tympanic paragangliomas are common middle ear benign neoplasias that develop from endocrines cells situated along the great blood vessels of the head and neck, as well as those of the thoracic and lumbar spine. Primary symptoms of tympanic locations include hearing loss and pulsatile tinnitus. Otoscopy often shows a retrotympanic reddish mass, causing tympanic bulging. Computerized tomography scan findings include a tissue density regular mass located at the promontory and limited within the middle ear cavity. Surgical management comprises tumour excision with control of bleeding, with or without prior embolization. Aim: The aim of this presentation is to report an unusual case of tympanic paraganglioma. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 56-year-old patient whose clinical and paraclinical presentations were consistent with cholesteatoma, though a tympanic paraganglioma was discovered per-operatively. Conclusion: In some rare cases, tympanic paraganglioma can be present like a cholesteatoma.