[A case of osseous giant cell tumor of the temporal bone and tympanum].

The giant-cell tumor (osteoclastoma) is very rare in the head and neck. Its histogenesis, diagnosis and classification are difficult. Although it is considered to be benign, it should be regarded by the clinician as malignant, because of its high recurrence rate, potential metastases and the difficulty of total removal. We performed an extended radical mastoidectomy in a 42-year-old woman with such a tumor of the petrous bone, primarily to prevent such complications.