Isolated synchronous meningioma of the external ear canal and the temporal lobe

BACKGROUND

Extracranial meningiomas are common tumours but may occur in unexpected locations. Awareness can avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate management of these tumours. We report the case of a 54-year-old Caucasian male with en plaque meningioma of the external ear canal and an intracranial temporal lobe meningioma.

INTERVENTION

The patient underwent extended canal wall down atticomastoidectomy with preservation of the ossicular chain and tympanic membrane and en bloc resection of the bony posterior canal wall, tumour, and overlying skin.

RESULTS

Radical removal of a grade I meningothelial meningioma was achieved. The tegmen tympani and dura were not breached. No connection with the temporal lobe meningioma was demonstrated. The patient recovered completely and experienced a marked improvement in hearing. No clinical signs of recurrent or residual tumour have occurred.

CONCLUSION

Careful clinical examination and extensive radiological workup is required to avoid missing the unusual diagnosis of concurrent meningioma of the temporal bone and temporal lobe, and miss the chance to treat this disease adequately.

Sensitization to common aeroallergens in patients at an outpatient ENT clinic

OBJECTIVES

The epidemiology of specific sensitization to inhalant allergens remains unknown in patients at tertiary rhinology clinics. We used skin prick testing (SPT) to assess sensitization to major aeroallergens in order to evaluate the prevalence of specific rhinologic diseases, the frequency of polysensitization and the relationship between nasal symptoms, nasal endoscopy parameters, diagnosis and sensitization.

METHODS

A retrospective review of medical records was conducted at the ENT Department of the Catholic University Hospital in Leuven, Belgium. The study analyzed the medical data of patients with rhinologic symptoms suspected of having allergies.

RESULTS

The study included 1326 patients with a mean age of 35 +/- 18 years (range: 3-88 years); 52.8% were males. Rhinitis without nasal abnormalities (42.1%), chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (16.5%) and nasal abnormalities (16.1%) were the most prevalent findings. About 31.6% of patients were sensitive to at least one allergen, and the most common aeroallergens were dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (62.1%) and grass pollen (53.2%). Polysensitization was found in 54.2%. The most prevalent clinical symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients were nasal obstruction, clear/watery nasal discharge, sneezing, postnasal drip and headache. Clear nasal discharge, sneezing, and itchy nose and eyes (p < 0.05 for all) were significantly higher in sensitized patients. In contrast, postnasal drip, headache and purulent nasal discharge were also observed in non-sensitized patients (p < 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

At a rhinology clinic at a university ENT clinic, 31.6% of the patients had positive SPT results, mainly to house dust mites and grass pollen. Among sensitized patients, 54.2% were polysensitized.