[Malignant tumors of the petrous bone. Apropos of 25 cases]

Twenty five cases of malignant tumors of the petrous bone are presented. Prognosis depends on the histology and on the local invasion which dictate the possibility of curative surgery. Squamous cell carcinoma of the middle ear and other invasive tumors have a bad prognosis, and in spite of the progress of modern image technology, the peripetrous extension of the tumors are often underestimated. Actuarial two years survival for squamous cell carcinoma was 38%. Total excision needs at least a subtotal petrous resection with, in some cases meningal and internal carotid resection. In all cases, surgery was followed by radiation. Low grade malignant tumors had a better prognosis and required a more limited resection. In these cases, when necessary, facial nerve can be repaired by a cable graft at the time of initial surgery.