Hemangioendothelioma of the temporal bone in a child.

Hemangioendothelioma is a vascular tumor of endothelial cell origin. It may involve bone or soft tissues and can behave like a benign or a malignant tumor. In the literature there are several case reports on the involvement of the head and neck region, but only three cases of temporal bone involvement, all of them in adults. A 3-year-old child, complaining of left retro-auricular swelling and tenderness, was found to be suffering from hemangioendothelioma of the temporal bone. Doppler ultrasound and CT scan showed a highly vascular mass with bone destruction. Wide surgical excision was recommended, but rejected by the parents, nor did they agree to treatment with alpha-interferon. The child did not return for any further treatment.