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Case Reports
. 2014 Nov 26;3(10):2047981614555048.
doi: 10.1177/2047981614555048. eCollection 2014 Nov.

A case of a temporal bone meningioma presenting as a serous otitis media

Simon Nicolay  1 , Bert De Foer  2 , Anja Bernaerts  2 , Joost Van Dinther  3 , Paul M Parizel  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

A case of a temporal bone meningioma presenting as a serous otitis media

Simon Nicolay et al. Acta Radiol Short Rep. .

Abstract

We report the imaging features of a case of a temporal bone meningioma extending into the middle ear cavity and clinically presenting as a serous otitis media. Temporal bone meningioma extending in the mastoid or the middle ear cavity, however, is very rare. In case of unexplained or therapy-resistant serous otitis media and a nasopharyngeal tumor being ruled out, a temporal bone computed tomography (CT) should be performed. If CT findings are suggestive of a temporal bone meningioma, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination with gadolinium will confirm diagnosis and show the exact extension of the lesion.

Keywords: Head/neck; computed tomography (CT); ear; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); meninges; primary neoplasms.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
(a) Axial CBCT image of the right temporal bone at the level of the internal auditory canal (same level as (b)). Note the normal aspect of the anterior wall of the middle ear (large arrow) and the clear aerated aspect of the middle ear. (b) Axial CBCT of the left temporal bone at the level of the internal auditory canal. There is clear thickening and hyperostosis of the anterior wall of the middle ear (large arrow). Note the associated soft tissue opacification of the middle ear cavity. There are no signs of ossicular erosion (small arrow).
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
(a) Axial T2W MR image of the brain at the level of the temporal bone pyramid shows a hyperintense signal in the tympanic cavity and partially in the mastoid cells, compatible with serous otitis media (large arrow). Note the hypointense and thickened aspect of the anterior wall of the left middle ear cavity (small arrow). (b) Axial gadolinium-enhanced T1W MR image at the level of the temporal bone pyramid shows an intensely enhancing anterior wall of the middle ear cavity (arrow). (c) Coronal gadolinium-enhanced T1W image through the temporal bone demonstrates a clear enhancement of the roof of the tegmen. Compare to the normal non-enhancing anterior wall and tegmen on the right side.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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