Primary carcinoma involving the petrous temporal bone

Fibroinflammatory pseudotumor of the temporal bone

Chronic inflammatory tumor-like lesions of the temporal bone represent a difficult clinical task for the skull base surgeon. Their osteolytic aggressiveness endangers vital structures and may not be controlled by surgery alone. We present the course of four cases of fibroinflammatory pseudotumor of the temporal bone which were treated by a combined approach of skull base surgery and chemotherapy. Three patients were deafened by the disease and underwent several operafive measures. One patient was lost, most likely due to an arrosive bleeding of the internal carotid artery. The chronic and recurrent process could only be stopped by petrosectomy, followed by antiproliferative chemotherapy. Two patients were subsequently provided with a cochlear implant. The differential diagnosis, diagnostic, and operative options of this rare but severe disease are discussed.

Temporal bone carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the external auditory canal, middle ear, and mastoid. Surgical resection is the cornerstone of treatment, with T1 lesions of the external auditory canal treated by lateral temporal bone resection and more advanced lesions treated by subtotal or total temporal bone resection. This article summarizes clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis, management, and differences in treatment philosophy.