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External auditory meatus involvement in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2018

Dai Wee Lee*
Affiliation:
Clinical Oncology Department, University Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Gwo Fuang Ho
Affiliation:
Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
*
Author for correspondence: Dai Wee Lee, Clinical Oncology Department, University Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, 59100, Malaysia. E-mail: eeldavid@hotmail.com Contact number: +60379493037

Abstract

Background

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma with local extension to the external auditory meatus is rarely reported.

Case presentation

We present two cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with invasion to the external auditory meatus. First case at initial presentation; and the second at disease recurrence. Both patients presented with unilateral otologic symptoms corresponding to the affected site; as well as being heavily node positive. Otoscopic examination and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission topography demonstrated the involvement of external auditory meatus.

Conclusions

These two cases highlight the need of careful otoscopic examination and functional imaging to diagnose such cases.

Type
Case Study
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2018 

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