[Metastasis to the ENT area]

We report three patients with metastases to the ENT-region mimicking a primary malignant tumour. A 36-year-old woman presented with vertigo, sudden hearing loss, partial facial palsy and headaches. CT scan suggested a meningioma or an acoustic neuroma. Histological examination of the neoplasm removed surgically showed a metastasis from an amelanotic melanoma. A 38-year-old woman with nodules in the tongue had dysphagia. The history revealed that she had been treated successfully with chemotherapy for a carcinoma of the uterine cervix one year ago. Histological examination of a tongue biopsy showed a metastasis from the uterine carcinoma. The primary tumour was in complete remission. The third patient was treated for recurrent epistaxis. Physical examination showed a tumour in the right nasal cavity. A CT scan showed a tumour of the ethmoid cells and of the maxillary sinus, protruding into the nose. Histology and immunohistology proved a metastasis from a primary carcinoma of the liver. Ultrasound and CT scan of the liver confirmed the diagnosis.