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Melanoma of the middle ear: initial presentation, Fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging and follow up

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2011

M W Huellner ,
M Cousin ,
T Linder ,
J D Soyka ,
C Bussmann ,
L Eberle  and
K Strobel
M W Huellner*
Affiliation:
Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Switzerland
M Cousin
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Switzerland
T Linder
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Switzerland
J D Soyka
Affiliation:
Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
C Bussmann
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Switzerland
L Eberle
Affiliation:
ORL Center Brunnen, Hospitals of Schwyz and Einsiedeln, Switzerland
K Strobel
Affiliation:
Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, Switzerland Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Martin Huellner, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, CH-6000 Lucerne, Switzerland Fax: +41 41 205 4689 E-mail: martin.huellner@ksl.ch
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Abstract

Background:

We present a rare case of primary mucosal melanoma of the middle ear imaged with 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT).

Method:

Clinical, radiological, intra-operative and histological findings are discussed.

Results:

An 88-year-old woman presented with intermittent otorrhoea of the left ear for several months. Otoscopy revealed a livid protrusion of the tympanic membrane. Melanoma was not suspected initially, but was established on transmembranous biopsy. Pre-operative 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography revealed a mass lesion in the left tympanic cavity with high fluoro-deoxyglucose uptake, as well as an ipsilateral intraparotid lymph node metastasis. The patient underwent surgical treatment. The diagnosis of melanoma was confirmed histologically.

Conclusion:

In this rare case, clinical, radiological and surgical findings led to the diagnosis of a primary mucosal melanoma of the middle ear.

Keywords

Melanoma, MucosalMiddle EarPET/CTFDG

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 5 , May 2011 , pp. 536 - 539
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

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