Isolated Temporal Bone Metastasis With Inner Ear Invasion as Manifestation of Rectal Cancer

Temporal bone metastasis is a rare find. The most common sites of origin of temporal bone metastases are breast, lungs, and prostate. The main route of dissemination appears to be hematogenic. We present a case report of an 81-year-old male patient with locally advanced rectal cancer, without evidence of distant metastasis on CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, presenting with rapidly progressive hearing loss, facial palsy, and loss of balance. Initial imaging is inconclusive, with meningioma being the leading hypothesis. However, histological analysis confirms the presence of carcinoma of colorectal origin, revealing an isolated temporal bone metastasis with inner ear invasion. The objective of this case report is to bring to attention that although metastasis of the temporal bone is rare, it should be considered in patients with otologic symptoms or facial palsy with a history of malignant tumors, even ones not usually associated with this metastasis location.