Carcinoid tumour of the middle ear: case report and review of the literature.

This is a case report of middle-ear carcinoid tumour in a patient with a 20-year history of aural tinnitus, fullness, and hearing loss. The patient was treated surgically, with no evidence of recurrence 20 months later. The natural history of this tumour appears to be relatively benign, with a long clinical course and little destruction of surrounding tissues. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies are of great value in distinguishing carcinoid from other tumours of the middle ear. The pathologic features that contribute to the differential diagnosis are presented. Local conservative surgery appears to be the treatment of choice.