Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma of the external auditory canal

World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Dec 21;13(47):6436-8. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i47.6436.

Abstract

This report describes a rare case of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presenting a huge mass in the left external auditory canal (EAC). The patient was a 55-year-old man with hepatitis B virus-related HCC. He presented to our department with a three-month history of increasing left otalgia, and hearing loss with recent fresh aural bleeding. Histopathologic examination indicated that the tumor was secondary to HCC. Although external irradiation was not effective, the tumor was treated with surgical debulking and high dose rate 192 Ir remote afterloading system (RALS) for postoperative intracavitary irradiation. A review of the literature revealed only five other cases of HCC metastasis to the temporal bone, all of which mainly metastasized in the internal acoustic meatus. The present case is the first report of HCC metastasis to the EAC.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiography
  • Brachytherapy / methods
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / complications
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / virology
  • Ear Canal / pathology*
  • Ear Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Ear Neoplasms / complications
  • Ear Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Ear Neoplasms / therapy
  • Ear Neoplasms / virology
  • Earache / etiology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Hearing Loss / etiology
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Hepatitis B / complications*
  • Humans
  • Iridium Radioisotopes / therapeutic use
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / virology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Otologic Surgical Procedures
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Iridium Radioisotopes