Hemangiomas of the external auditory canal

Hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors of vascular origin in the head and neck region, but their localization in the external auditory canal is extremely rare. This article provides an overview of clinical cases of 19 cavernous, 15 capillary, 2 mixed hemangiomas, and describes our own experience in the surgical treatment of mixed hemangiomas of the external auditory canal. Based on the data obtained from literature review and 37 clinical cases, we found that cavernous hemangiomas are more commonly detected in patients aged 45–60 years and older, in contrast to capillary hemangiomas, which occur in all age groups. Among all types of hemangiomas, the gender ratio is 1:1, with cavernous hemangiomas being more common in men. Localization of hemangioma in the external auditory canal with spread to the tympanic membrane was noted in 18 (49%) cases, localization only in the walls of the auditory canal – in 16 (43%) cases, extension to the middle ear – in 3 (8%) cases. Hearing loss, both as an isolated symptom and in combination with other signs, occurred in 51.5%, tinnitus – in 30%, otalgia – in 13.5%, asymptomatic course was observed in 19% of cases. Diagnostics of hemangiomas includes computed tomography of the temporal bones and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. If a hemangioma is detected, surgical treatment is indicated to remove the tumor with negative resection margins.
Clinical case. A 51-year-old woman with left-sided progressive hearing loss underwent otoscopy, which revealed a round dark red pulsating mass measuring 5 mm in diameter on the tympanic membrane. Computed tomography of the temporal bone showed a 4×4×4 mm tumor in the indicated area without extension into the middle ear, homogeneously accumulating contrast. The tumor was completely removed via endaural access, and type 1 tympanoplasty was performed. Pathology report: hemangioma of mixed structure. The postoperative period was uneventful, the neotympanic membrane was intact, hearing returned to normal, and there was no recurrence of the hemangioma within 1 year after surgery.
Conclusion. Hemangiomas of the external auditory canal are extremely rare and have non-specific clinical manifestations, which are mainly caused by the presence of a solid mass in the external auditory canal. Despite the existence of several histological hemangioma subtypes, there are no established methods for differentiating them at the diagnostic stage. Hemangiomas of the external auditory canal primarily require differential diagnosis with other vascular tumors of this localization. Surgical removal of the hemangioma with a negative resection margin minimizes the risk of tumor recurrence.
Keywords: hemangioma, capillary hemangioma, cavernous hemangioma, external auditory canal, tumor of the external auditory canal
Conflicts of interest. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Financing. The paper was done without sponsorship.