Audiovestibular evolution in a patient undergoing surgical resection of a temporal bone myxoma

Abstract

Primary myxoma in the head and neck region occurs mostly in the maxilla and mandible, and rarely in the temporal bone. A 32-year-old female patient with temporal bone myxoma manifested as acute vertigo, headache, and tinnitus on the right ear. Audiometry and auditory brainstem response revealed normal responses, bilaterally. Vestibular function test displayed spontaneous nystagmus beating toward the left side. Absent ice water caloric response was disclosed on the right ear, whereas vestibular evoked myogenic potential test showed normal responses, bilaterally. MRI scan demonstrated a well-enhanced mass at the anterior middle portion of the right temporal bone with intracranial extension. Tumor excision via craniotomy was performed, and the histopathological study confirmed as myxoma. One year after operation, follow-up audiovestibular function tests revealed normal responses, except for 23 dB conductive hearing loss on the right ear.