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Inflammatory pseudotumor (plasma cell granuloma) of the temporal bone

Dare V Ajibade1, Iwao K Tanaka, Kapila V Paghdal

  • 1Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA.

Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal
|July 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

A rare inflammatory pseudotumor (plasma cell granuloma) caused destructive temporal bone disease in a 41-year-old man. Aggressive surgery, steroids, and radiotherapy were required to manage this recurrent mastoid lesion.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Inflammatory pseudotumors, specifically plasma cell granulomas, are uncommon in the temporal bone.
  • These lesions can exhibit locally destructive behavior, impacting surrounding bone and soft tissues.

Observation:

  • A 41-year-old male presented with symptoms including ear pressure, pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, and otorrhea.
  • Imaging revealed a soft-tissue mass in the right mastoid with intracranial invasion and erosion of the tegmen tympani and mastoid cortex.

Findings:

  • Histopathology confirmed the mass as an inflammatory pseudotumor (plasma cell granuloma).
  • The lesion demonstrated significant local destruction of temporal bone structures.

Implications:

  • Aggressive surgical resection is the recommended primary treatment for temporal bone inflammatory pseudotumors.
  • Adjuvant therapies such as steroids or radiotherapy may be necessary for residual or recurrent disease.
  • This case highlights the challenging management of rare, locally destructive lesions in the temporal bone.

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