A middle ear teratoma causing acute airway obstruction.

A rare benign teratoma of the middle ear, eustachian tube and nasopharynx presenting in an 8-month-old infant, is reported. The true nature of the tumour was not appreciated until after partial surgical resection from the middle ear. This procedure was complicated 3 days later by life-threatening airway obstruction, caused by the tumour slipping from the eustachian tube and obstructing the larynx. This unusual presentation and the pathology of the teratoma are discussed. The case demonstrates the importance of nasopharyngeal examination where middle ear lesions distort the eustachian tube.