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.
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.