[Glomus tumors of the middle ear in children]

Glomus tumor (GT) is a rare tumor of the middle ear in children. In spite of cytologically benign nature of this tumor, its course can be characterized as malignant because of GT infiltrative growth, destruction of the adjacent bone tissue, possible intracranial involvement. Because of scare symptoms, early GT diagnosis is problematic. At admission to hospital principal complaints of the children are poor hearing, discharge from the ear. These often underlie misdiagnosis -- acute otitis media. GT of the middle ear are detected with application of computed tomography which is able to show changes in the soft tissue and bone destruction, and angiography. Combination of the above two methods allows assessment of location and advance of the pathological process. GT treatment planning depends on the examination data and can include radiotherapy, endovascular occlusion of the vessels carrying blood to the tumor, surgical treatment and combination of the methods. Modern approaches to GT diagnosis and treatment are described. A case of GT of the temporal bone with involvement of the middle cranial fossa in a 4-year-old child is reported.