Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2016 May;59(5):396-401. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.59.5.396.

Temporal Bone Meningocele Presenting as a Pulsatile Mass of the External Auditory Canal

• Jeong JW
• Jeon EJ

• KMID: 2164356
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.59.5.396

Abstract

Meningocele is a protrusion of meninges through a defect in the skull base. It is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition requiring surgery. We present a case of 59-year-old woman complaining of persistent otorrhea of the right ear and a pulsating cystic mass occupying the external auditory canal in her right ear. The patient had undergone right canal wall up mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty about 30 years ago. Radiological evaluations revealed a bony defect at the tegmen tympani and tegmen mastoideum, with a cystic mass filling this defect and the external auditory canal, suggesting temporal bone meningocele. The meningocele was resected and the bony defect of tegmen was successfully repaired via combined transmastoid and middle cranial fossa mini-craniotomy approach.

Keyword

External auditory canal; Meningocele; Temporal bone

MeSH Terms

Cranial Fossa, Middle
Ear
Ear Canal*
Female
Humans
Meninges
Meningocele*
Middle Aged
Skull Base
Temporal Bone*
Tympanoplasty