J P Leonetti1, J Li, P G Smith. 1. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Loyola, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to review a series of 18 patients with malignant infratemporal fossa tumors who presented with otalgia as the primary symptom. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective case analysis. SETTING: All patients were evaluated and treated at a tertiary care academic medical institution. PATIENTS: Eighteen patients evaluated for otalgia in a normal-appearing ear, between July 1988 and July 1996, who were found to have a malignant infratemporal fossa tumor participated. INTERVENTIONS: Diagnostic testing included radiographic evaluations and tissue sampling through fine-needle aspiration cytology. Treatment methods were histology dependent. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The time between the onset of otalgia and the tumor diagnosis was recorded. Overall treatment outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: The period between the onset of otalgia and tumor diagnosis ranged from 4-21 months with a mean of 7.5 months. Adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most commonly seen tumor in this series of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The infratemporal fossa is a relatively protected region that may be the site of malignant neoplasms causing the isolated symptom of otalgia.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to review a series of 18 patients with malignant infratemporal fossa tumors who presented with otalgia as the primary symptom. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective case analysis. SETTING: All patients were evaluated and treated at a tertiary care academic medical institution. PATIENTS: Eighteen patients evaluated for otalgia in a normal-appearing ear, between July 1988 and July 1996, who were found to have a malignant infratemporal fossa tumor participated. INTERVENTIONS: Diagnostic testing included radiographic evaluations and tissue sampling through fine-needle aspiration cytology. Treatment methods were histology dependent. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The time between the onset of otalgia and the tumor diagnosis was recorded. Overall treatment outcomes were reviewed. RESULTS: The period between the onset of otalgia and tumor diagnosis ranged from 4-21 months with a mean of 7.5 months. Adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most commonly seen tumor in this series of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The infratemporal fossa is a relatively protected region that may be the site of malignant neoplasms causing the isolated symptom of otalgia.